Kidnappers Who Disappeared With Bayelsa King's Wife And Principal Make Huge Demand For Ransom

The men who kidnapped Mrs. Tina Inegbagha, the wife of Paramount ruler of Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have demanded a ransom of N100m to free her, Punch Metro reports.

The unknown gunmen had, on December 16, 2017, invaded the coastal settlement, abducting the monarch’s wife as well as the principal of Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro, Mr. Egele Jack.


A member of the monarch’s family, Mr. Majesty Inegbagha, said in Yenagoa on Friday that the kidnappers had contacted the family with the demand.

He said, “The paramount ruler, who is my elder brother, confirmed to me this morning that the kidnappers have called him and demanded N100m. The call was a relief to the tension that has built up since the incident.

“Although the family is pleased to know that the woman is alive, the thought of raising that huge amount of money has created an additional challenge to the family.

“We appeal to them (kidnappers) to free her on humanitarian grounds, as we lack the means to raise and pay the ransom money.”

He expressed optimism that the abducted paramount ruler’s wife and the school principal would regain their freedom following fervent prayers by family members and well meaning members of the public, as well as efforts of the security agencies.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Asuquo Amba, had, in a response to a question on the incident during an interactive session with newsmen on the crime situation on Monday, said the incident was being investigated.

Amba said that following the recent upsurge in violent crimes in Bayelsa, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had sent a special squad to complement the efforts of the state command in combating crimes.