Bayelsa Governor’s Sister Rescued Two Months after Abduction

Two months after her abduction, 26-year-old Nancy, sister of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has been rescued by the security forces.

Though the police spokesman in the state, Mr. Asinim Butsawat, said he could not confirm the release of the governor’s younger sister, a statement yesterday from the state government signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Daniel IworisoMarkson, said the lady was freed without the payment of a ransom.

Miss Dickson was kidnapped on Saturday, December 19, at her shop located on Okaka Road, Yenagoa, the state capital, at about 2.50 pm by her abductors who reportedly drove a grey coloured Lexus sports utility vehicle.

Prior to her release, there had been several complaints from her friends and relatives as a result of the delay in her release, with the governor insisting that he would not pay the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

The statement added that the young woman was rescued on Sunday evening from her abductors, following pressure mounted on them.

“Some of the kidnappers took to their heels while others were apprehended following a tip off on their hideout. The kidnappers were rattled and overwhelmed to forcefully surrender their kidnapped victim, following intense pressure mounted by the security agencies to track down the kidnappers,” the government said.

Dickson called on the people of the state not to succumb to the demands made by kidnappers, assuring them that plans were underway to amend the Bayelsa State Secret Cult, Kidnapping and other Related Offences Prohibition Bill to proscribe the payment of ransom in the state.

He stressed that the bill when passed into law, would go a long way in putting a stop to the incidence of kidnapping in the state.

The governor urged the people of the state to be resolute against the criminals, explaining that he would not be intimidated by the brazenness of the hoodlums.

He advised residents to learn from his refusal to submit to the demands of some of the kidnappers, who had earlier abducted his aged mother in 2009. He added that the woman was rescued at the time without ransom being paid to her abductors.

As part of efforts to stem criminal activities in the state, Dickson said: “A comprehensive security strategy would be launched soon to boost government’s policy of zero tolerance for crime and criminality.”