Kidnappers of Bayelsa State commissioner’s father demand N98m

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Nigeria — The kidnappers of Pa Uroh Tempurah, father of Bayelsa State Commissioner for Tourism Development,  Mr. Nelson Belief, have demanded for N98 million ransom to set him free.

The septuagenarian was seized and taken away from his Minibeleu country home in Akassa on the Atlantic fringe of Brass last Wednesday by gunmen.

The heavily armed kidnappers were said to have stormed the coastal settlement in a speedboat at 2.56am and made away with their victim.

It was, however, learnt that the gunmen, who seized the aged man, described “as a man of peace” by his community folks, Monday night contacted his son, Belief, demanding N98 million before he would be set free.

A source close to the family told Vanguard that the kidnappers allowed the old man to speak with his son before they took away the phone from him and made their demand.

The commissioner, who confirmed the development, said: “Yes, I spoke with my father yesterday (Monday).”

He also confirmed the N98 million ransom demand by the kidnappers.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, who confirmed that the kidnappers had established contact with their victim’s family, said the police are on the trail of the kidnappers.

“We have deployed a crack team of operatives from the anti-kidnapping squad to strategic locations in the creek and they are on the trail of the kidnappers. They would be fished out and brought to book,” he said.