Gunmen 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.

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. Continue....


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 learnt 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.