Suspected pirates have abducted an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC); as well as four contract staff working at the Conoil field in Koluama 1 in Bayelsa.
The five victims were kidnapped while on their way to Koluama 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Equally important, the four contract staff are employees of a catering contractor to Conoil. They were seized along with supplies from Yenagoa for the personnel at Conoil location in Koluama 1. A family source to one of the seized oil worker told NAN on Monday that the abductors had contacted the family, demanding N25 million ransom.
Meanwhile, youths in the community have raised a search party and making efforts to secure the release of the abducted persons.
In addition, spokesman of the NSCDC in Bayelsa, Solomon Ogbere, confirmed the development.
“I can confirm that we are in receipt of the report of kidnap. One of our officers and four civilians were kidnapped while heading to their location where they protect ConOil facilities.
“They were all in mufti while returning to their base when they were attacked. Investigation is ongoing to track down the culprits,” he said.
Less than a week ago, suspected pirates had attacked and killed an NSCDC official and two oil workers; while also kidnapping seven others in the creek of Nembe local government area of the state. Consequently, the state government had imposed a curfew and banned the use of speed boats with 200 Horse Power Engines on all waterways in the state.
In other news, an Ado Ekiti High Court on Monday sentenced a 24-year-old man, identified as Ebenezer Olorunleke to death by hanging for killing his own brother.
Justice Bamidele Omotoso said the prosecution had discharged the burden on Olorunleke Ebenezer; having established beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty as charged.
“The sentence of the count upon you is that you will be hanged by the neck until dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul,’’ the judge said.
Ebenezer, who hails from Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.The offences are contrary to sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act; Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. They are also contrary to section 316, punishable under section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.
According to the charge, the man and others, now at large, on August 29, 2019; at Abe Cocoa Area, Housing Estate, Oke-Ila, Ado Ekiti, conspired to rob his blood brother, Sunday Olorunleke, of his Bajaj Motorcycle; with Registration Number ADK 100 UJ and a sum of N40,000. At the time of the robbery, Ebenezer was armed with a knife with which he murdered Sunday.
Source: 1stNews
