Ex-commissioner, soldier kidnapped in Bayelsa

A former commissioner for transport in Bayelsa State, Marie Ebikake and a soldier have been abducted in separate incidents by gunmen in Bayelsa yesterday.

It was learnt that Ebikake was kidnapped at her residence in Igbogene area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, Asimin Butswat, confirmed the development.

“She was abducted at her residence by gunmen at about 1.00am today. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators,” Butswat said.

NAN gathered that the soldier was abducted by suspected sea pirates between the waterway of Foropa and Azuzuama area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The soldier, identified simply as Rotimi, was on board a passenger boat on his way to Yenagoa. The boat driver was shot on the shoulder.

“The suspected sea pirates attacked the boat conveying the soldier and two others to Yenagoa; they shot the boat driver and took away the soldier.

“They also stole the boat engine. They, however, left behind the female passenger,” a community source in Southern Ijaw said.

Ebikake, who hails from Brass Local Government Area, was a former local government chairman in the area.

It was learnt that on Jan. 10, some armed men had invaded her home in Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government and vandalised the residence. (NAN)