Arase, IGP

by Nnaji Hari-Marshal, Yenagoa

But for vigilant community members and quick intervention of the Police,  Traditional Ruler of Ogbogoro  Community, HRH King Godwin Igodo would by now be pinning away in the custody of desperate kidnappers.

King Godwin Igodo,  the Ebeni Ibe of Atissa Kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State  had been a  two-time victim of kidnapping in the State.

The latest attempt, which came at about 10pm on Saturday, was thwarted by angry youths and quick response from the Anti-Kidnapping squad of the State Police Command.

Bayelsa  State Police Command, Astimin Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said the quick arrival of the Police Patrol team led to a 15 minutes shootout between the Police and the suspected kidnappers.

 The suspected kidnappers, heavily armed, reportedly  gained entry into the home of the traditional ruler and were about taking him away, when the police arrived," the police and the community vigilante group had surrounded the palace. But the police,who are unfamiliar with the structure, were unaware of a back entrance.The suspected kidnappers escaped."

The State Police Command, in an official statement   signed by Astimin Butswat on Saturday, stated that  "the incident occurred between 9.30 and 10pm at the riverside settlement of Obogoro in the Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa when most of his subjects had retired to bed."

"On Saturday, September 19, 2015, at about 2200hrs, six unknown gunmen stormed the residence of His Royal Highness G G Igodo, in Ogbogoro Community, in Yenagoa LGA, to abduct him."

"Members of the community alerted the Police and Patrol Teams were deployed promptly. The hoodlums, in a bid to escape shot and injured one Alex ThankGod 18 yrs, a member of the community, in his hands and stomach."

"The victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, and he is responding to treatment. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the hoodlums who escaped with bullet wounds, through the waterways."