Gunmen on Tuesday abducted a 78-year-old community leader, Chief Nelson Tempurah, the father of the Commissioner for Tourism Development in Bayelsa, Mr Nelson Belief.
Tempurah was abducted at his family house in Minibeleu Community, near Akassa in the Brass Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tempurah was abducted at about 2.56 a.m. by seven gunmen, who stormed his residence.
A source at the community told NAN on Wednesday in Yenagoa that the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare away people in the neighbourhood before going for their target.
“The gunmen gained entry into the residence of the community leader through the roof of the house.
“After abducting the old man, they collected mobile phones of those in the building, including the house helps,” the source said.
Belief, who is the Commissioner for Tourism Development in the state, confirmed the abduction of his father to newsmen in Yenagoa.
He said the kidnappers were yet to contact the family, adding, “it is quite sad that an aged and peaceful man will be kidnapped”.
The Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Alex Akhigbe, who confirmed the abduction, said the command had moved into action to rescue the community leader.
“We heard about the abduction this morning and have directed the anti-kidnapping squad to take action and ensure he is rescued,” Akhigbe said.
