Gunmen kidnap 78-year-old father of Bayelsa Tourism Commissioner

The Bayelsa Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the kidnap of a 78-year-old community leader in Brass, a coastal settlement in the state.
The spokesperson of the Bayelsa Police Command, Alex Akhigbe, who confirmed the kidnap, said the command has already commenced rescue efforts.
“We heard about the abduction of the father of the commissioner this morning and have directed the anti-kidnapping squad to take action and ensure he is rescued immediately,” Mr. Akhigbe, a deputy superintendent of police, said.
The gunmen abducted Nelson Tempurah, 78, the father of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Tourism Development, Nelson Belief, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Mr. Tempurah was kidnapped at his family house, Minibeleu community, near Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of the state.
The community leader was reportedly abducted at about 2.56 a.m. by seven gunmen, who stormed his residence.
A resident of the community said in Yenagoa that the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare away people in the neighborhood before going for their target.
Nelson Belief, who is the Commissioner for Tourism Development in the state, also confirmed the abduction of his father to journalists 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 abducted.”
The gunmen had gained entry into the home of the community leader through the roof of the house.
“After abducting the old man, the gunmen collected the mobile phones of those in the building including the house helps,” the resident, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said.