Bayelsa Speaker’s mother released from kidnappers’ den

AFTER eight days in the den of her abductors, Mrs Betinah Benson, 78-year old mother of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, has regained freedom.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that Mrs Benson was released by her abductors to members of her family in Patani, Delta State, on Monday, late at night.

Although her abductors had demanded a ransom of N40 million for her release, official sources indicated that no ransom was paid at the end for her to being released.

Confirming his mother’s release to journalists in Yenagoa, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Kings Omire, said he had no report of any ransom paid before the woman’s release was secured.
According to him, he was in his office late Monday night when members of the family brought her to his office.

Ascertaining that no money exchanged hands in the release of his mother, Speaker of the state’s Assembly, Konbowei Benson said his family did not pay any money, rather her release was as a result of prayers and pressure from security quarters that forced the abductors to release his mother.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa government has accused some politicians in the state of sponsoring kidnappings to create a state of insecurity.

The government’s position was contained in a statement issued on Monday, in Yenagoa, by Mr Daniel Iworis-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seriake Dickson.

He accused some ‘disgruntled politicians’ who he said were bent on halting the transformation agenda of the governor of being behind acts of kidnappings on the state.

“From the facts at our disposal, it is clear that some failed politicians who have lost out in the power equation in the state are working behind the scene with some forces outside the state to sponsor kidnapping of innocent citizens in Bayelsa.

“Their aim is not only to scare away investors and stall development, but also to make the state ungovernable.

“Their intention is to give the impression that the government of the day is incapable of securing the lives and property of citizens,” he said.

Iworis-Markson said that Dickson’s administration had not only given priority to security, but had also shown political will to protect lives and property in the state.

He said that the administration had succeeded in turning around the state from a haven of cultism, violence and criminality into a peaceful and prosperous state.

He said that the passage of the Secret Cult, Kidnapping and Similar Offences Prohibition Law 2012, had made it possible to prosecute criminals who ran foul of the law.