Kidnappers Collect Ransom, Hold Negotiator Hostage

Some unknown gunmen, who abducted the mother of Rivers State
Commissioner for Transport, Mr. George Tolofari, have held the
appointed negotiator hostage after collecting a ransom of N5m from
him.

The development was said to have angered a former militant leader in
Bayelsa State, Mr. Reuben Wilson, who played a role in the appointment
of the negotiator to effect the release of Madam Tolofari, according
to report from The Punch.

During the meeting of the Niger Delta ex-agitators, under the aegis of
the Leadership for Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, the
abduction of the negotiator was condemned. Wilson said it was
unfortunate that the kidnappers could be wicked to abduct the
negotiator while delivering the N5m agreed upon as ransom for the
woman's release.

It was gathered that the Rivers commissioner had contacted the
ex-militant leader to assist in the delivery of the agreed ransom of
N5m out of the N150m reportedly demanded by the abductors.

A security source said the request for assistance by the commissioner
was sent to the National Coordinator of the LPCDI, Wilson.

The security source, who craved anonymity, said, "Wilson called on one
of his men and appointed him as negotiator to deliver the agreed sum
of N5m.

"On getting to the location, the gunmen collected the N5m and
kidnapped him. They later called Wilson and assured him that no harm
would befall his boy and that the boy will only be released after the
Commissioner of Transport in Rivers State pay the demanded N150m."

Wilson, who confirmed the development in Yenagoa on Friday at the end
of a meeting of ex-militant leaders, said the incident caused a stir.
He said the kidnappers called him and claimed that the Rivers Governor
Rotimi Amaechi had allegedly released N200m to the commissioner to pay
for the release of his mother.

"They demanded N150m. I tried to tell them that it was not true but
they insisted," he said.