‘Jonathan’s cousin abducted before meeting on land dispute’

    
Frank, one of the children of Chief Inengite Nitabai, President Goodluck Jonathan’s adopted father, who was abducted last Sunday, says his father was kidnapped a day before a meeting to resolve a dispute over parcels of land.

Frank told PUNCH Metro that Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Hilary Opara, was supposed to meet with Nitabai and other family members over the dispute on Monday, but he was abducted.

Nitabai, who is also the President’s cousin, was whisked away by unknown gunmen, said to be 10 in number.

The gunmen stormed the residence of the victim about 9pm, took N400,000 from Owiya, his wife, and drove him away in his private Sports Utility Vehicle.

Expressing fears that his father’s kidnap might not be unconnected with the land dispute, he urged the relevant authorities 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 in that direction.”

The police commissioner said 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 had said.

When our correspondent contacted the family on Tuesday, they said they had yet to establish contact with the abductors.

Copyright PUNCH