Kidnappers Free President Jonathan's Uncle

The Police in Bayelsa have rescued Chief Nengite Nitabai, 70, President

Goodluck Jonathan's uncle kidnapped on Feb. 23.
Mr Hilary Okara, Commisioner of Police in the State, confirmed the

development in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in

Yenagoa on Thursday.
He said Nitabai was freed in Odioma community in Brass Local Government

Area of Bayelsa.
Nitabai, a community leader in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, was

freed unharmed and had re-united with his family.
“We rescued Nitabai from Odioma coastal settlement and as I speak with

you, I am with him in his house in Otuoke,” Okpara said.

Okpara said six suspects, including a traditional ruler believed to be the

father of the leader of the gang, were arrested in connection with the

abduction.
Okpara had on Wednesday dispelled rumours that the septuagenarian had died

in the hands of his abductors and assured that the police were closing in

on the hoodlums.
Also, the police spokesman, Mr Alex Akhigbe, said that no ransom was paid

for Nitabai's release.
It will be recalled that members of Nitabai's family had offered a ransom

of N30 million which was rejected. The abductors had demanded for N500

million.