It has been revealed that the abduction of Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Federal Otokito, was in connection with illegal refining of crude in the state.

The abduction was carried out by people from the commissioner’s community.

The commissioner regained his freedom on Monday, five days after Otokito was kidnapped from his Otuokpoti community residence in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ben Nebolisa, and the State Director of the State Security Services, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, presented Otokito to Governor Douye Diri at Government House, Yenagoa.

Anger by the development, Governor Diri has deposed the Otuokpoti community paramount ruler, Chief A.C.T Wongo and appointed Chief Rescue Abe in acting capacity.

The governor also announced the sacking of the community’s development committee chairman, Azibalua Amon and replaced him with Jerry Offor in acting capacity while the youth president, Emolem Igue was also removed and replaced with Shedrach Afiemo.

The state government stated that investigation revealed that they were complicit in the kidnap of the commissioner.

The governor reiterated the state government’s zero tolerance to crime and kidnapping.

Diri, who said preliminary investigation revealed that illegal refining of crude was connected to the kidnap, warned all those involved in such business in the state to stop forthwith.

His words: “I like to thank God that a member of the state exco who was kidnapped is now here with us.

“I like to also thank the security agencies and all other sources that helped in securing the release of the commissioner.

“Investigation is still ongoing. So we appeal to all in Otuokpoti to keep the peace and security agencies will keep an eagle eye on Otuokpoti and environs.

“Bayelsa will not condone crime and criminality. We have zero tolerance for crime. Let this be a warning to all those who have taken that as a way of life that Bayelsa is not a state for them.

“We have anti-kidnapping laws and they will be invoked at all times. As a government, we will do everything to ensure peace for people of the state.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ben Nebolisa, declared Joshua Abi, Clergy Mabinton, Gift Tebeda and Azin Azin wanted in connection with the kidnap.

In his remarks, the rescued commissioner, Otokito, thanked the governor, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and all those who worked for his release.

TheStar