The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inengite Nitabai

  • Kidnapping: Fear grips Jonathan’s relations

    Kidnapping: Fear grips Jonathan’s relations

    RELATIONS of President Goodluck Jonathan resident in his home state of Bayelsa are now living in fear following the recent abduction of Chief Inengite Nitabai, the President’s foster father, by kidnappers.

    Nitabai was rescued last week by security operatives after three weeks in the den of his abductors who demanded N500million ransom..

    Many of the President’s relations believe that they are being targeted by armed gangs of kidnappers who have laid siege to Ogbia, the local government area of the President.

    Their fears were raised after another gang of kidnappers made an attempt on Thursday to abduct one Madam Patience Agbani,a cousin of the President.

    The move was foiled by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield.

    Speaking to reporters in Yenagoa, Agbani who is said to be related to the mother of President Jonathan, said:”I am scared because l feel that my life is in danger.”

    She said she had escaped two attempts by different gangs of criminals to abduct her.

    The first attempt, according to her, involved six masked men three weeks ago while the latest incident last Wednesday involved two men.

    Narrating how she escaped before JTF came to her rescue, she said: “After l closed from my shop, l noticed that two persons were following me. When l crossed the road, they stared at me.

    “When l moved, they moved and when l stopped they stopped. So, l started watching them. I moved again, they moved. Then l became afraid.

    “I turned and started going back then they started pursuing me. I ran and hid in an uncompleted building. But they ran across the building.

    Agbani, 35, said she later called JTF operatives in the area for help.

    “After the first incident, I collected the telephone number of the JTF in my area. When this one happened, l quickly called them.”

    Also, a source close to Jonathan’s family said members of the President were discussing measures to personally secure themselves from the prying eyes of kidnappers.

    He said though recent incidents had led to tightening of security in Otuoke and other Ogbia communities, it is necessary for key members of the family to personally secure themselves.

    But the Commissioner Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, said the police had mapped out strategies to stop kidnapping in the state.

    Opara had on Thursday called for security meeting involving all stakeholders in Ogbia local government areas.

    Traditional rulers, chairmen of the eight local government areas, chairmen of community development committees and youth leaders attended the security meeting.

     

  • ‘Kidnappers confused over Jonathan’s cousin’

    ‘Kidnappers confused over Jonathan’s cousin’

    Kidnappers of President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Inengite Nitabai, are reportedly confused over what to do with their victim.

    It was gathered that the 10 gunmen are in dilemma, following the arrest of some suspects in connection to the incident.

    Nitabai was abducted 19 days ago in Otuoke, the hometown of President Jonathan in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    It was learnt that the police arrested suspects directly linked to the incident, including some persons said to be related to the victim.

    A source from the family said suspects arrested by the police had “weakened the kidnappers”.

    The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the police rounded up persons who facilitated the kidnapping, including individuals who reportedly gave the hoodlums information about Nitabai’s movements.

    He said one of the suspects had confessed to having a link with the assailants.

    “The person who confessed had also called the ringleader of the gang to release the man since the police were aware of their identities. But the leader did not understand how they would release the man without money. So, they are in a dilemma,” he said.

    He said the kidnappers had told the family of their victim that they would release Nitabai, if the police set the suspects in their custody free.

    He dispelled rumours that the kidnappers might have killed Nitabai.

    “They cannot kill him because the police know all of them. Besides, the father of the ringleader is in police custody.

    “Killing him will have many far-reaching implications, especially in view of death penalty for kidnappers in the state. We believe that they will soon release him”, he said.

    When asked whether the family had paid some ransom to the kidnappers, the source said: “We are no longer talking about ransom because the identities of the kidnappers have been known.

    “I am not aware that anybody has paid ransom to the kidnappers. The hoodlums are simply looking for a soft-landing”.

    The kidnappers had earlier rejected N30million offered them by the family after demanding N500million ransom.

    The family of 60-year old Priscilla Ebua, the abducted sister of the Commissioner for Sports, Maitama Obodor, has pleaded with her abductors to release her on health ground.

    Ebue was kidnapped at Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, by five gunmen on Monday night.

    Obodor appealed to the kidnappers to have a change of heart and release her unhurt.

    The statement said: “We appeal to the kidnappers to have the fear of God and change of heart to urgently return the generous and kind woman, who has lived her life to the admiration of the entire Oloibiri community and beyond.”

  • Jonathan’s cousin: Police arrest six

    Jonathan’s cousin: Police arrest six

    • Patriarch still in captivity

    Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnap of Inengite Nitabai, who is President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin.

    Nitabai was abducted by 10 gunmen on February 23 at his home in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    He was driven out of his compound in his Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) by the bandits, who harassed his in-law and collected N400,000 from his wife.

    There were concerns over Nitabai’s health after rumours of his death spread in Yenagoa.

    Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara said six persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.

    He, however, said he could not confirm rumours of the victim’s death.

    “All l can tell you is that we are working very hard to ensure that the victim is released unhurt. We are sure that we can free him,” he said.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers had promised to release their victim on Sunday but they failed to show up at Akemplai village in Ogbia.

    Family members were said to have gathered at a location in the village to receive Nitabai but they waited in vain for him.

    A family member, who was at the location from 9pm to 1am, said the abductors deceived them.

    “We learnt that he was going to be released at Akemplai village in Ogbia. We went there and waited for hours. We neither saw the kidnappers nor their victim. We came back home disappointed and worried,” the source said.

    It was further gathered that security agencies surrounded the village and the waterside with their gunboats as they waited for Nitabai.

    Troops from the Joint Task Force (JTF), police anti-kidnap squad and the Department of State Security (DSS) were said to have laid ambush in the area.

    The troops were reportedly withdrawn at 5am on Monday after the fruitless waiting game.

    It was gathered that the police stormed Odioma in Brass local government area and arrested the father of the suspected ring leader of the gang.

    The police were also said to have sent a special squad to an undisclosed location outside the state in search of Nitabai.

    The troops were reportedly withdrawn at 5am yesterday after the fruitless waiting game.

    It was gathered that the police stormed Odioma in Brass Local Government Area and arrested the father of the suspected ring leader of the gang.

    The police were also said to have sent a special squad to an undisclosed location outside the state in search of Nitabai.

    His assailants had initially demanded N500m ransom but rejected N30million offered them by the family members.

    They described the offer as “too small” and demanded more money from the Presidency.

    Jonathan paid a private visit to Otuoke, his hometown, in Ogbia Local Government Area, last Friday.

    He attended the funeral of the late father of his aide, Mr. Patrick Oba, who hails from his hometown.

    The President was reportedly briefed by heads of security agencies and his family members of their efforts to free Nitabai.

     

  • Jonathan’s cousin still in kidnappers’ den

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s septuagenarian cousin, Inengite Nitabai, is still languishing in kidnappers’ den 10 days after he was whisked away by his assailants.

    Nitabai, a compound chief in Jonathan’s Ebele Family, was abducted by 10 gunmen on February 23 at his residence in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    He was driven out of his compound in his Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) by the bandits who harassed his inlaw and collected N400,000 from his wife.

    His car was later recovered at Onuebum waterside, a development that fueled speculations that his abductors escaped with him through the creeks.

    But 10 days after the incident, Nitabai’s whereabouts had remained unknown.

    Security operatives seemed clueless about the location of the 70-year-old man and his kidnappers.

    Though security operatives flooded Otuoke and surrounding creeks in search of Nitabai, their efforts had yielded no positive results.

    The kidnappers had called the family of their victim three days after the incident demanding N500m and threatening to kill him if the money was not provided.

    It has not been confirmed whether the captors of Nitabai had brought down their demands.

    Family members, though in dire straits,  were said to have been instructed not to speak to members of the press.

    But a member of the family said issues surrounding Nitabai’s abduction were complicated.

    The source who pleaded anonymity said central to the issue was a land dispute between Nitabai and some members of his family.

    “We are praying that they should release our father. We hope to see him come out alive. The police are investigating the land dispute to know whether it has anything to do with the kidnapping. Some people have been arrested. But is is complex”, he said.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, said security agencies were making huge progress.

  • IYC vows to rescue Jonathan’s uncle

    IYC vows to rescue Jonathan’s uncle

    •Tension mounts in Bayelsa

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday said it would secure the release of President Goodluck Jonathan’s uncle, Chief Inengite Nitabai, who was kidnapped at gunpoint last week in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Vowing to work with security agencies to secure the release of the 70-year-old man from his abductors, IYC condemned the kidnap and promised to help unmask those behind the dastardly act.

    IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, said in a statement issued Wednesday that the foremost Ijaw Youth group had already constituted a three-man committee to liaise with the security agencies to rescue the old man.

    “The Ijaw Youth Council, worldwide condemns in the strongest term, the kidnap of the 70-year-old” he said.

    Describing the incident as unfortunate, the group said the incident was coming at a time when President Jonathan needed to be fully concentrated to face the challenges of governing Nigeria.

    He expressed sympathy to the Jonathan/Nitabai family of Otuoke, saying that IYC would work with security agencies to fish out the kidnappers.

    Maintaining that there is no hiding place for kidnappers and criminals in Ijaw land, IYC reiterated that kidnapping and criminality is alien to Ijaw culture.

    The group said it believes that no crime can be committed without the involvement of people within the immediate environment.

    Omara added that this formed the basis why the group had resolved to confront kidnapping and all forms of crimes in Ijawland.

    The group also called on the Bayelsa State Government to ensure that the kidnappers of Nitabai are brought to book and its anti-kidnapping law tested.

    The statement contended that kidnapping and criminality cannot stop without bringing to justice those involved in the act.

    Unknown gunmen seized Nitabai in his family compound and whisked him away in a sports utility vehicle (SUV).

    His wife, in a bid to stop his abduction, had allegedly offered the gunmen about N400,000 to no avail.

    However, the Bayelsa State Police Command said two persons have been arrested in connection with the abduction and are helping security operatives in their investigation.

    Bayelsa State was all fear yesterday as the state government and security agencies struggled to deal with the embarrassment of the abduction of Nitabai.

    Nitabai spent his seventh day in the den of the hoodlums yesterday with the security agencies yet to find a clue to his whereabouts.

    He was seized from his Otuoke home, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state last Sunday by 10 gunmen who have since established contact with his family, demanding a N500million ransom.

    Following persistent kidnappings in the state, the House of Assembly passed a bill which prescribed the death penalty for convicts.

    Governor Seriake Dickson signed the bill into law but no one has yet been tried under it.

    Nitabai’s abduction is raising questions about the seriousness of the authorities to make the law work.

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) wants the state government to use the Nitabai abduction to test the efficacy of the law.

    IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, asked Governor Dickson to ensure that the abductors are apprehended and brought to book, saying that unless people involved in kidnapping are dealt with the illegal booming business would continue.

    It also described the abduction as a distraction to President Jonathan.

    “Coming at a time when President Jonathan needs to be in the best frame of mind to face the challenges of governing a complex nation such as Nigeria is most unfortunate”, it said and announced the setting up of a three-man team to work with security agencies to find Nitabai.

    “There is no hiding place for kidnappers and criminals in Ijawland. Kidnapping and criminality is alien to Ijaw culture,” it declared.

    “The IYC believes that no crime can be committed without the involvement of people within the immediate environment. Hence, the resolve to confront kidnapping and all forms of crimes in Ijaw land.”

    Some other relations of the President are said to be apprehensive about their own safety following the kidnapping.

  • Abduction of Jonathan’s cousin unsettles Bayelsa

    Abduction of Jonathan’s cousin unsettles Bayelsa

    BAYELSA State is yet to recover from fears and confusion surrounding the abduction of Inengite Nitabai, the septuagenarian cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Nitabai was whisked away last Sunday from Otuoke, Jonathan’s hometown in Ogbia Local Government Area by 10 gunmen who attacked him in his house at about 9pm.

    Though the hoodlums established contact with the family of their victim and demanded N500m ransom, security operatives were said to be confused over the whereabouts of the kidnappers.

    It was observed that the development has raised doubts over the efficacy of the law against kidnapping in the state, which prescribes death penalty for convicts.

    Since the law was passed by the House of Assembly and signed by Governor Seriake Dickson, it had failed to deter criminal activities of kidnappers.

    Despite the increasing incidents of kidnapping, nobody has also been apprehended or prosecuted sentenced in the spirits of the new law.

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) said the anti-kidnapping law in the state should be put to test in the case of Inengite.

    IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, asked Dickson to ensure that the abductors are apprehended and brought to book.

    It observed that unless people involved in kidnapping were brought to justice, the illegal booming business would continue.

    IYC said it had set up a three-man team to work with security agencies and ensure that Nitabai regains his freedom.

    “There is no hiding place for kidnappers and criminals in Ijawland. Kidnapping and criminality is alien to Ijaw culture.

    “The IYC believes that no crime can be committed without the involvement of people within the immediate environment.”

    There were also fears among other relatives of President Jonathan over the possibility of becoming targets of kidnappers.

    Some of them, it was learnt, were said to have relocated to Yenagoa, the state capital, where they believe it would be difficult for kidnappers to get them.

  • Jonathan cousin’s abductors demand N500m ransom

    Abductors of Inengite Nitabai, the septuagenarian cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan, have requested a whooping N500m ransom to set him free.

    The outrageous demand, it was learnt, had unsettled members of Nitabai’s family who were said to be running from pillar to post to find a solution to the matter.

    A security source told our correspondent that the abductors threatened to kill their victim if the family failed to produce the money.

    The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the family had constituted a committee to evaluate the wicked demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate his release.

    He said the kidnappers as usual warned against the involvement of security operatives in the matter.

    “The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded a whooping sum of N500m. It is believed that the family of the victim has begun negotiations with the hoodlums,” he said.

    Distraught family members and sympathisers had shortly after the incident weighed the motives behind the dastardly act.

    The atmosphere became gloomier following refusal of the assailants to establish contact with the family of their victim three days after the abduction.

    The kidnappers’ incommunicado, it was observed, created panic and heightened apprehension among members of the family.

     

  • Security operatives search for Jonathan’s cousin

    Security operatives search for Jonathan’s cousin

    Security operatives in Bayelsa State are searching for 70-year-old Inengite Nitabai, the cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Nitabai was kidnapped on Sunday by 10 men, who stormed his compound at Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

    Security agencies had been ordered to find Nitabai, who is said to be the President’s adopted father.

    It was gathered that gunboats of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the police had been deployed to the creeks of Ogbia and Nembe.

    The Commissioner of Police, Hilary Opara, said the security agencies were making efforts to find the victim.

    Opara was said to have been patrolling Otuoke since the incident occurred. He was sighted in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

    The police boss said gunboats had been stationed at the Onuebum waterside to patrol all nooks and crannies of the creeks.

    He said the police were also searching for some suspects, who ran away immediately they sighted the police.

    It was learnt that the police had patrolled Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks.

    But one of Nitabai’s children, Frank, said his father was kidnapped a day before a meeting on land dispute.

    He said the police were supposed to meet with Nitabai and other family members over a land dispute on Monday, a day after he was abducted.

    Frank expressed fears that his father’s kidnapping might be connected with the land dispute.

    He appealed to security operatives to also look in that direction.

    Frank said: “My father heard that some members of his family sold his land at Ogbia.

    “He reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police. The commissioner was supposed to meet with my father and other family members involved on Monday. Unfortunately, my father was abducted a day before the meeting.

    “I am appealing to the relevant authorities to also look at that aspect.”

    Opara said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the land dispute.

    “The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We will get them,” he said.

  • JTF, police, SSS comb creeks for Jonathan’s cousin

    Security outfits operating in Bayelsa State have murdered sleep following Sunday’s abduction of the 70-year-old Inengite Nitabai, the cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a daring move, 10 heavily armed men stormed the expansive compound of Nitabai at Otuoke, hometown of President Jonathan in Ogbia Local Government Area and whisked the old man away.

    But 48 hours after the incident, security agencies had been ordered to find Nitabai who is said to be the adopted father of the President.

    It was gathered that gunboats of the JTF and the police had been deployed to the creeks of Ogbia and Nembe.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, said the security agencies were making frantic efforts to find the victim.

    Opara was said to have been personally patrolling Otuoke since the incident occurred. He was sighted driven in and out of Otuoke in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

    He said gunboats had been stationed at the Onuebum waterside to patrol all nooks and crannies of the creeks.

    He said the police personnel were also searching for some suspects who ran away immediately they sighted the police.

    It was learnt that the police had so far patrolled Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks.

    But Frank, one of the children of Nitabai, said his father was kidnapped a day before a meeting over land dispute.

    He said the police had scheduled a meeting with Nitabai and other family members over land dispute on Monday, a day after he was abducted.

    He expressed fears that his father’s kidnapping might be connected with the land dispute.

    He appealed to security operatives to also look in that direction.

    Frank said, “My father heard that some members of his family sold his land at Ogbia.

    “He reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police. The commissioner was supposed to meet with my father and other family members involved in the land dispute on Monday. Unfortunately, my father was abducted a day before the meeting.

    “I am appealing to the relevant authorities to also look at that aspect.”

    Opara revealed on Monday that two suspects had been arrested so far in connection with the land dispute.

    “The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We will get them,” he said.

    He, however, said the kidnappers had yet to establish contact with the victim’s family.

     

  • 10 gunmen abduct Jonathan’s cousin in Otuoke

    10 gunmen abduct Jonathan’s cousin in Otuoke

    RESIDENTS of Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Bayelsa State hometown, were still in shock yesterday over the kidnap of his first cousin, Chief Inengite Nitabai.

    In a daring move, 10 heavily armed men stormed Nitabai’s expansive compound located before Otuoke bridge, off Otu-Okpoti-Ogbia Road, grabbles their target and fled. No shot was fired.

    Nitabai, said to be about 70, is a compound chief in Jonathan’s Ebele family.

    He has been acting like a father to the President since Jonathan’s real biological father died, family sources said.

    There was panic in the compound when the bandits stormed the area between 8 and 9pm on Sunday.

    The victim, his wife, his wife’s sister and three of his children were in the house when the assailants came.

    His wife’s sister, Akinobebh Jin, 37, said Silas, one of Nitabai’s sons, was the first to see the criminals. He raised the alarm.

    Jin said: “We came back from somewhere around 8pm. Silas was at the verandah, doing his assignment while my in-law, my sister and two other siblings were in the living room together.

    “After some time, Silas came shouting and saying that some people had just entered into the compound. As we sprang onto our feet, we were confused because we didn’t know where to run to.

    “Shortly after that, five heavily armed men entered into the house, barking. We ran into the kitchen and some of them followed us to the kitchen. They asked us to lie down. They hit my sister on the head and asked her to give them money.

    “They also hit my in-law with the butt of their guns and demanded money. They threatened to shoot us. My sister told them she had small money and they followed her to the bedroom where she gave them money”, she said.

    Jin said after collecting about N400,000, the gunmen forced Nitabai into a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to the victim and sped off.

    “Five of the gunmen entered the compound while five others were hanging around the premises. They locked us inside the house before leaving”, she said.

    Jin, who was injured on her finger, was yet to recover from the shock yesterday.

    At the compound yesterday, all was calm.

    A detachment of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, and policemen were guarding the place.

    Sympathisers were trooping into the compound. The victim’s wife said to have gone to the clinic for treatment.

    People were seen in groups discussing the incident. A road leading to Otuoke has been cordoned off by soldiers.

    Commissioner of Police Mr. Hilary Opara and JTF Deputy Commander Commodore Ime Ekpa, have visited the crime scene.

    Opara said the police alerted other security agencies about the incident.

    Two gunboats have been stationed at Onuebum Waterside. The police are patrolling Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks.

    Opara said two suspects had been arrested.

    “The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We know them and we will get them,” he said.

    JTF Media Coordinator Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said the assailants abandoned the victim’s car at the Onuebum community water front.

     

    Nwachukwu said: “Information available to me is that a certain Chief Nengite Nitabai was abducted by about 10 gunmen yesterday at about 9pm at Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area using his private vehicle.

    “The vehicle was later recovered at Onuebum community water front. The Deputy Commander, JTF, Commodore Ime Ekpa, and a team of security agents have visited the crime scene and investigation is in progress to unmask the kidnappers and rescue the victim.”

    Two Army Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) have been stationed in the community.

    Soldiers have been guarding President Jonathan’s home and the former hotel belonging to First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.