The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) says the committee set up by the council to work with security agencies to fish out kidnappers of President Goodluck Jonathan’s uncle are making progress.
Chief Nengite Nitabai, 70, a community leader in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa, was on Feb. 23 abducted by unknown gunmen at his residence.
The spokesman of the IYC, Mr Eric Omare, said shortly after a meeting of the council in Yenagoa on Thursday that the IYC would ensure that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
Omare said that the identity of the three-man committee working with the security agents would not be disclosed for security reasons.
The IYC said that it had cautioned the families of the victim not to pay any ransom to the kidnappers, adding that the council was against criminal acts.
Omare said that contacts had been established with the kidnappers who demanded for a ransom of N500 million, assuring that the president’s uncle will be released soon.
“In consonance with the position of the IYC, we have advised relevant persons not to offer any ransom to effect the release of Nitabai.
“If we offer ransom, we are encouraging more kidnapping; IYC’s position is that criminality must be erased from Ijawland; so, we have told them not to offer any ransom.
“Although, he has not been released, we will effect his release in the next few days,” he said.
Mr Alex Akhigbe, the Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that efforts were ongoing to free the Nitabai unharmed.
He said that the three suspects earlier arrested in connection with the issue were helping in the investigation. (NAN)
