Abductors of Bayelsa Legislator’s Father Demand N70m, Give Ultimatum

By Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

A gang of suspected kidnappers who abducted the octogenarian father of a Bayelsa lawmaker , Mr Alfred Watson, has demanded a ransom of N70 million in the next three days.

Chief W.G. Watson Iti, the 81-year- old victim, was seized on Saturday morning in the waterways of Bayelsa, specifically in Brass, while on his way to bury his late wife.

But it was gathered yesterday that the abductors called the lawmaker at about 11.30pmdemanding N70m to release his father.

A family source, who declined to be named,   said that the gunmen contacted the victim’s lawmaker son with his telephone number to make the demand.

“The kidnappers called the lawmaker at about 11.30pm on Saturday and demanded the ransom. They called with the number of his father and gave him between now and Wednesday to pay the ransom. They didn’t even allow the lawmaker to speak with his father.”

When contacted Watson confirmed that the kidnappers contacted him and demanded the ransom but said he had no money to give them.

He said, “I am asking them to release my father unconditionally. There is no money to give anybody. How can you kidnap an old man who was going to bury his dead wife?”

Four gunmen operating along the waterways of the state had abducted Watson, the father of the lawmaker representing Brass Constituency 2.

The victim, who hails from Okpoama kingdom, Brass Local Government Area, was reportedly whisked away on Saturday morning while he was conveying the body of his deceased wife for burial.

Further details later

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