MOTHER of the leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mrs. Esther Akpe, who was kidnapped last Tuesday at Ebedebiri Community in Sagbama Local Government area of Bayelsa State, has been released.
A combined security team on Tuesday secured the release of the 69 year old woman.
Disclosing her release to newsmen in his office, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col Bernard Kenebai (rtd) said the combined security operatives including Joint Military Task Force, the Police and men of the State Security Service mounted pressure on the suspected kidnappers and this led to the release of Mrs. Akpe who has been held captive for close to one week.
Mrs. Akpe, according to the security aide to the Governor was rescued at a nearby village close to Bulou-Angiama in Delta state.
According to him, Mrs. Akpe was picked up by one of the rescue teams around 3pm and was brought to Yenagoa around 6pm and has since re-united with members of her family.
The security aide disclosed that no ransom was paid, adding that payment of ransom as may be demanded by suspected kidnappers tantamount to compromise which is contrary to the provisions of the anti kidnapping law.
Warning intending kidnappers in the state, Col Kenebai said the present administration would not condone any act of criminality.
According to him, Bayelsa state is no longer a fertile land for kidnappers and perpetrators of other criminal acts.
In a related development, Bayelsa state government said the alleged killing of two soldiers and a crew member on board of Indian owned oil ship occurred between Angiama and Etelebiri communities in Delta state and not in Bayelsa state as reported.