Gunmen abduct Bayelsa SSG's mother

Unknown gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted madam Betinah Benson, 80-year-old mother of the Secretary to Bayelsa State Government (SSG), Rt. Hon. Konbowei Friday Benson.

Daily Trust gathered that the octogenarian was kidnapped by gunmen in military uniform at about 10 pm on Tuesday at her residence at the old legislative quarters in Yenagoa, the state capital.

It is not ascertained if the abductors have established contacts with the family as of the time of filing the report.

Her son, before his appointment by Governor Douye Diri as the Secretary to Bayelsa State Government on February 2020, was a two-term Speaker of the State House of Assembly and a PDP governorship aspirant during the 2019 gubernatorial poll in the state.

The politician is yet to react to the abduction of his mother.

Police launch manhunt

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Madam Betinah Benson.

The police spokesman in the state, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident in a statement in Yenagoa on Wednesday, said the command had already launched a manhunt to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.

The Police spokesman said: “The Bayelsa State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the rescue of Madam Betinah Benson and arrest of the suspects.

“Madam Betinah Benson, 80 years, was kidnapped on 20th July 2021, at about 2300 hours at her residence at Old Legislative Quarters, Azikoro Road, Yenagoa.

“The kidnappers, who were dressed in military camouflage, stormed the residence and kidnapped the victim to an unknown destination.

“The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command, CP Mike Okoli fsi, and other detectives have visited the scene. An investigation is in progress,” he said.

Gunmen abduct Bayelsa SSG’s mother