Kidnappers reduce minor’s ransom from N50m to N5m

Abductors of Okali, the six-year old son of the former Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development in Bayelsa State, Mr. Godknows Powell, have reduced his ransom from N50 million to N5million.


It was gathered that the father of the victim haggled with the kidnappers and insisted that he could only pay N2million for his son’s freedom.

A security source who pleaded anonymity said the kidnappers insisted on N5million.

“They are still negotiating and we believe that they will agree on a fee and release the boy who we know is already traumatized,” he said.

Okali was kidnapped by some unidentified gunmen in the early hours of January 1 along Etegwe, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.

It was learnt that the victim was abducted at about 12.45am while returning from a crossover church service.

He was said to be in the company of his mother when the hoodlums accosted them, isolated and whisked him away to an unknown place.

Powell, who served as commissioner in the past administration of Chief Timipre Sylva, was also a former Chairman of Yenagoa local government council when Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was the governor of the state.

The source had earlier said the security agencies were in the dark about the whereabouts of the kidnappers and their victim.