85-Year-Old Monarch Abducted In Bayelsa

Unidentified gunmen have reportedly abducted
an 85-year-old Benjamin Weke, paramount ruler
of Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa local
government area of Bayelsa state.


The Punch reports that Asinim Butswatt, the
spokesperson of the police command in the state,
confirmed the incident, adding that the abduction
happened in the early hours of Friday, September 4.
Butswatt said that although the command did not
receive information on the abduction promptly, the
investigation into the matter already commenced.
"Yes, the marine component of the police has been
alerted and they are combing the creeks to find the
whereabouts of the gunmen.
"The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday;
the problem is that the family members did not
contact our men until 5am," he said.
Meanwhile, a family member, Blessing Weke,
revealed that on July 1, 2015 the gunmen sent a
letter to the monarch, intimating him of their
coming.
She said that four heavily armed gunmen arrived at
the home of the monarch at about 1am.

"Chief's wife was the first person to wake up before
chief could wake up; as soon as they saw him, they
grabbed him and ran away.They also took some
money meant for the traditional marriage of one of
the traditional ruler's sons scheduled for tomorrow
(Saturday).

"Finally, the wife was beaten up and was ordered to
lead their way to the waterside, where they escaped
in a speedboat," she added.
Unfortunately, it is not the first case when a
traditional ruler gets abducted in the state.


A month ago, unidentified militants
abducted Bayelsa monarch Christian
Otobotekere. His Royal Highness was taken to the
unknown direction by the gunmen from the town of
Tombia in the outskirt of Yenagoa.



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