ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Suspected kidnappers have abducted Engr. Mike Ogiasa, a former Commissioner for Special Duties (Federal Projects) in Bayelsa State.
Ogiasa, said to be a relative of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was abducted in his hometown of Otuabadi in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, who was a Special Adviser on Power Development during the administration of former Governor Seriake Dickson, is also the Convener of a socio-political group, Voice of the South-South (VSS).
It was learnt that Ogiasa had been in the forefront supporting the purported move to draft Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into the 2023 presidential race.
Community sources said that Ogiasa was abducted on Thursday by assailants numbering over eight.
The assailants were said to have arrived in his town after returning home from a meeting.
A community source, who spoke in confidence, said Ogiasa had planned to return to Yenagoa, the state capital, at the end of the meeting, but some persons allegedly prevailed on him to wait until the next day.
The source claimed that the victim was indoors when the gunmen arrived, abducted him and took him to an unknown destination.
It was, however, gathered that his abductors had yet to contact his family for any ransom demand two days after taking him hostage.
Spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, SP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.
Butswat said Mike Ogiasa was abducted on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
He said the police were investigating the incident in order to rescue him.