Patimi Akene, the recently kidnapped elderly mother of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Furoebi Akene, has been released. Three weeks ago, armed men abducted Mrs. Akene at Fonibiri in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa.
Patimi Akene, the recently kidnapped elderly mother of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Furoebi Akene, has been released. Three weeks ago, armed men abducted Mrs. Akene at Fonibiri in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa.
Her abductors released her today, abandoning her at Lobia near the Atlantic coastline.
It could not be ascertained whether any ransom was paid to secure the elderly woman’s release, but a source close to the commissioner told our correspondent that Mr. Akene paid a ransom and provided the kidnappers with four sophisticated mobile phone sets before his mother was let go.
Mr. Akene confirmed his mother’s release and thanked the people of Bayelsa State for their concern and good wishes throughout his family’s ordeal.
“Mama has been released. We thank God she is hale and hearty and we want to thank all those who assisted us in ensuring her safe return,” Mr. Akene said.
The commissioner declined to comment on the sum paid as ransom.
Last week, the kidnappers had threatened to cut off their victim’s head after the commissioner had rebuffed their demand for a ransom of N30 million.
A family source told SaharaReporters that the kidnappers had offered during negotiations to reduce their demand to N10 million. It was after the commissioner failed to agree to the lower ransom that they threatened to behead the elderly woman.
Mrs. Akene was abducted without the firing of any gunshots and whisked away by armed men who were six in number. She was taken away from her home close to the Fonibiri community waterside near midnight three weeks ago.