Segun James
15 August 2007
Yenagoa — Just as the 11-year old son of a female member of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Mrs. Ruby Benjamin was released by his abductors on Tuesday morning, the 75 year old mother of another member, Amalanyo Yousuo was kidnapped by gunmen at her country home in Akassa, a community on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean.
Thisday gathered that gunmen operating in two speed boats invaded the home of the lawmaker who represents Brass constituency II in the Bayelsa Assembly in the early hours of yesterday, picked the old woman and disappeared in one of the many creeks that lead to Akassa, a community which is about 70 kilometres from Yenagoa. Madam Laura Canus was reportedly abducted at about 3am and was said to have been taken to a location around the Koluama, another community also on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean described as transit point used by kidnappers in the state.
Although her son, Hon Amalanyo who was sighted at the state police command ostensibly to formally report the abduction to the police, a source close to him said the law maker was still waiting for his family members sent to Akassa to return with the details of the incident. Also, an assembly source who spoke anonymously said that the latest action of the kidnappers might not be unconnected with the brazing display of wealth by the lawmakers while many of their 'foot soldiers' are always complaining of being abandoned in spite of the role they claimed to have played in their election. Bayelsa lawmakers known to be among the richest legislators in the country. Meanwhile, the family of Hon. Ruby Benjamin have heaved a sigh of relieve following the release of their son, Daniel, who was abducted Wednesday, last week.
Little Daniel was snatched from his home where he was sleeping with his elder brother by gunmen said to have gained entry to his parents' home through the roof of the house. Although it could not be ascertained if any ransom was paid to the kidnappers who demanded N20million ransom for his release, it was however learnt that the lad was abandoned some metres away from their Yenezue-Epie residence. Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, little Daniel said though he was blind folded by his abductors when he was snatched, they however took good care of him during his almost one week incarceration with the kidnappers.
Daniel said that his captors accused his mother of not carrying them along after she got into office.He narrated that his kidnappers told him how they pulled the stunt at his parents home without arousing the suspicion of any member of his family on the day he was taken away. His words, "they claimed to have surveyed my parents home on three occasions and that on the fateful day they struck they came with enough meat which they gave to the dogs so as to silence them." Reacting to his release, his elated father lamented that "this is not the best way for anybody to look for money as money gotten through this means cannot be enjoyed. Our happiness is that our son has been released." Contacted the state police public relations officer, Mr. Ibokette Iniobong confirmed the release of little Daniel as well as the kidnapped of Madam Laura Canus by unknown gunmen at Akassa in the Brass council area.
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