Governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri has announced the deposition of the paramount ruler of Otuokpoti community, Chief A.C.T Wongo and two others following the abduction of the state’s Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Otokito.
The kidnapped commissioner regained his freedom on Monday after being seized from his country home in Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.
The abductors had demanded the release of the father of their leader, who is in police custody as a condition to free Otokito.
However, Diri, while speaking at the 12th Kolokuma/Opokuma thanksgiving day in his community, Sampou, maintained that he was not going to pay a dime for Otokito to be freed and tasked those holding him to release him without any conditions.
Receiving the commissioner, who was in the company of state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ben Nebolisa Okolo, and the State Director of the State Security Services, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, at the Government House Yenegoa on Monday evening, Diri said investigations revealed that the kidnap was linked to illegal refining of crude.
He warned all those involved in such business in the state to stop while calling on community leaders to ensure that peace prevailed in their communities as the government would not hesitate to sanction anyone found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking further, the governor announced the deposition of the Otuokpoti community paramount ruler, Chief Wongo, who he replaced with Chief Rescue Abe.
Diri also announced the sack of the community’s development committee chairman, Azibalua Amon and the youth president, Emolem Igue, who were replaced by Jerry Offor and Shadrach Afiemo, respectively.
According to the governor, investigations alleged that they were complicit in the kidnap of the commissioner.
Also speaking, the Police, Commissioner, Ben Nebolisa, declared Joshua Abi, Clergy Mabinton, Gift Tebeda and Azin Azin wanted in connection with the kidnap.
In his remarks, the rescued commissioner, Federal Otokito, thanked Governor Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and all those who worked for his release.
