Mrs. Marie Ebikake, a former Commissioner for Transport in Bayelsa State and also the first female Chairman of Brass Local Government Area, and Rotimi, a soldier, have been abducted by armed assailants in two separate abductions.
Mrs. Marie Ebikake was kidnapped on Sunday morning from her residence in Igbogene area of Yenagoa. Rotimi was abducted from a boat along the Foropa-Gbarain route of the Southern Ijaw creek on his way to Yenagoa. The robber shot the driver of the boat in the shoulder before abducting Rotimi and also stealing the engine of the boat he was on.
Mrs. Ebikake, who is from Brass LGA was also a top member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, was abducted at about 1.30am on Sunday.
Ebikake had resigned as Transport Commissioner during the race for the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson due political disputes between the governor and wife of former President, Dame Patience Jonathan.
Three days before her abduction, armed robbers had invaded her country home in Twon-Brass in Brass LGA and raided the building. The robbers had allegedly destroyed the bulletproof doors to the building and performed a ritual involving raw eggs cracked on her vehicles and doors.
A family member of Ebikake’s stated “The gunmen were about 15 in number.
“The hoodlums gained entry through one of the windows in their apartment after scaling the fence.”
Victor Isaiah the Caretaker Chairman of Brass LGA condemned the act: “I am shocked at the condemnable act of wickedness by evil and cold-hearted elements on a peaceful and harmless woman.
“I am saddened that our mother and leader will be subjected to harmful experience in the hands of those uncultured criminals.
I call on the kidnappers to release her unconditionally, unhurt and in sound health. I also urge security agents to intensify efforts at rescuing the kidnapped honorable.”
Mr. Asinim Butswat the Police Public Relations Officer and deputy superintendent, Bayelsa State Command, verified the abduction of Ebikake saying
“She was abducted at her residence by unknown gunmen at about 1am today (Sunday).
“A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators.” She said.