Abductors of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Otokito, have placed demands for the release of their captive after a call to the paramount ruler of Otuokpoti community, in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that the kidnappers’ leader called the community chief on the phone and informed him that the commissioner was in their custody.
Recall that the commissioner was abducted on Thursday at his residence at Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government into a waiting speedboat.
The abductors were said to have kidnapped Otokito for opposing their plan to set up an illegal crude oil refinery in the community’s forest, PUNCH reports.
A family source, who spoke in confidence on Saturday, said the leader of the gang had called the traditional ruler at about 5:30 am on Saturday requesting that his detained father be released by the police in exchange for the commissioner.
“They’ve not contacted the family but the actor (leader) called the paramount ruler that he actually did the kidnapping and the commissioner is with him.
“He called the paramount ruler at about 5:30 am but did not demand ransom. The only seeming demand he placed is that his father held by the police should be freed. He threatened to come back to the community if his demand was not met,” the source said.
It was gathered that before the incident, the gang leader had reportedly approached the Otuokpoti community in a meeting with some elders and youths, where he sought to set up an illegal bunkering camp around the community’s bush.
He and his men allegedly had sealed the understanding reached at the meeting by providing bags of rice, live goats and cash gifts, among other items.
However, the abducted commissioner got a hint of the meeting and headed to the village, where he vowed not to allow any illegitimate oil refinery to operate in the area.
He was said to have also confronted the leader of the gang and warned them to stay away from the forest, threatening to expose them if they attempted to carry out their nefarious business.
