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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