Gunmen In Military Uniform Abduct 80-Year-Old Mother Of Bayelsa SSG

Some gunmen in military camouflage have abducted Madam Betinah Benson, the mother of Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Mr Kombowei Benson.

The octogenarian was abducted at her residence in old Legislative Quarters, Yenagoa, the state capital around 11pm on Tuesday.

The 80-year-old Madam Betinah, who was also reportedly abducted in 2013, was said to have been whisked away to an unknown destination.

The aged woman was said to have been kidnapped for ransom.

Efforts to get insights into the likely reasons for Betinah’s kidnap failed as his son, Kombowei Benson, a former Bayelsa Speaker, didn’t respond to calls or text messages.

Bayelsa Police Command however confirmed the abduction.

Its spokesman, Mr Asinim Butswat, said the Command had launched a manhunt for the rescue of Madam Betinah and arrest of the suspects.

In a statement on Wednesday, Butswat said: “Madam Betinah Benson, aged 80, was kidnapped on 20th of July 2021, at about at about 2300 hours at her residence at old Legislative Quarters, Azikoro Road, Yenagoa.
“The kidnappers, who were dressed in military camouflage, stormed the residence and kidnapped the victim to an unknown destination.”

Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, said the Commissioner of Police Mike Okoli, and other detectives had visited the scene and that investigation was in progress.