ALLEN HARRY
Abductors of Chief Gbalipre Turner, father of the chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Hon. Ebinyo Turner, have demanded the sum of N30 million before they set him free.
An aide to the chairman who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said the kidnappers contacted his boss and informed him of the ransom fee if he wants to see his father again.
According to the council chairman’s aide, he pleaded with them to reduce the money as it was way too high for him and the entire family to raise but the kidnappers remained adamant.
“They called chairman and requested that he should send them N30 million before they will release his father but my boss told them he doesn’t have that kind of money so they should please reduce it and they got angry and cut the call.
“They later called back and said as chairman of a local government why will he say he doesn’t have that kind of money. The chairman pleaded with them to speak with his father which they agreed for less than a minute, which made us confirm that the man is alive.
“But during the brief conversation, he complained bitterly that he was suffering as he was not treated well despite knowing that he was ill and on medication before he was kidnapped”.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Asinim Butswat, said the police was still investigating the case and assured that everything will be done to free the 73 year old man.
The gunmen who were allegedly dressed in military uniform had on the night of September 5, 2021, stormed the Yenagoa residence of Turner and whisked him away.
It was gathered that the gunmen numbering about five, fully armed with AK-47 rifles, gained access into Turner’s house through the back door while he was preparing to go to bed.
The police responded quickly based on a distress call from a member of the family and chased them to Onuebum waterfront, where they abandoned the vehicle used in the kidnap and escaped with a speedboat.