The Bayelsa State Police Command has four declared four wanted in connection with the kidnap of Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Mr Federal Otokito.
The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa Police Command, Ben Okolo declared the four person namely Joshua Abi, Clergy Okio Mabiton. Azini and Gift Tebeda. Few hours after Otokito was released.
Otokito was kidnapped from his residence at Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Thursday January 20.
According to investigations his kidnap was orchestrated by operators of illegal oil refinery who vowed to deal with him for rejecting moves moves to set up an illegal oil refinery camp in a forest between Otuokpoti and Agbura communities.
Sources said based on information that the Police were closing in on them, the abductors on Monday set Otokito free without any condition.
Otokito who visited the Government House immediately after his release commended Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the security agencies for working towards his release.
Meanwhile aftermath the release of Otokito, Diri has wielded the big stick against persons suspected to be remotely connected to the kidnapping.
He immediately deposed the paramount ruler of Otuokpoti community, Chief A.C Wongo, and announced the sack of the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr Azibalua Amon and the youth president, Mr Emolem Igue.
He appointed Chief Rescue Abe, Mr Jerry Offor and Mr Shadrach Afiemo as acting paramount ruler, acting CDC chairman and acting youth president respectively.
“I like to thank God that a member of the state exco who was kidnapped is now here with us. I like to also thank the security agencies and other sources that helped in security the release of the commissioner. Investigation is still on-going. So we appeal to all in Otuopkpoti to keep the peace and security agencies will keep an eagle eye on Otuokpoti and its environs. Bayelsa will not condone crime and criminality. We have zero tolerance for crime. Let this be a warning to all those who have taken that as a way of life that Bayelsa is not a state for them. We have anti-kidnapping laws and they will be invoked at all times. As a government, we will do everything to ensure peace for people of the state.
