Gunmen abduct Sylva's uncle in Bayelsa

Gunmen have abducted an uncle of former Governor of Bayelsa State,
Timipre Sylva, Benson Adigio-Eseni, 86.

The abduction of the octogenarian has further heightened the
challenges of insecurity in the state.

It was learnt that Adigio-Eseni was abducted at around 2am on Sunday
from his residence in Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of the
state.

His abduction came barely 10 days after two persons, Bukuromo
Odidikuma and Awotimigha Iyabi, an aide to Sylva's Commissioner for
Information and Orientation, Nathan Egba, were killed by gunmen
suspected to be sea pirates operating on the Nembe-Brass River.

In that incident, a contender for the state House of Assembly in next
year's election, Alfred Belemote, a mobile police escort and the
driver of the boat in which they were travelling in to Okpoama, were
also shot, but luckily survived with bullet wounds.

Sources said Adigio-Eseni's assailants, who operated in a speed boat,
shot sporadically into the air before dragging him away into the
creeks.

A relation of the victim, Austin Adigio, confirmed the incident to our
correspondent on Monday.
"It's true, he (Adigio-Eseni) was kidnapped this morning about 2am," he said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Police
Command, Alex Akhigbe, however, claimed the police had yet to receive
signals on the kidnap of Adigio-Eseni.