ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Suspected kidnappers on Monday abducted a traditional ruler, a 50-year-old woman and middle-aged man at Otuabula community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Community sources said the incident occurred at about 1am.
It was gathered that the heavily armed gunmen numbering about 20 invaded the community and abducted the victims, shooting indiscriminately into the air.
Community sources identified those abducted as the deputy paramount ruler of the community, Chief Otia Isomom, Mrs. Lucy Osain and Mr. Friday Abah.
The victims were said to have been taken into a waiting speedboat and sped off to an unknown destination.
A resident of the community, who witnessed the incident but did not want to be mentioned, said he was allegedly stabbed with a dagger but luckily escaped from being abducted by the gunmen.
Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.
He said that police were intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted victims and that investigation was ongoing to apprehend the culprits.