105-year- old mum of Sylva’s running mate abducted

In from Olumide Olaoluwa . . .
Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro, the 105- year- old mother of Chief Wilberforce Igiri, the running mate to the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, was abducted on Thursday.
Ebifeghe was reportedly abducted from her house in Foropa, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa in moves believed to be politically motivated.
The APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are locked up in a serious battle to win the December 5 governorship election in the state. The contest has already thrown up serious security infractions, especially abduction of aged people including traditional rulers.
The unidentified gunmen were said to have stormed Foropa at about 1am in two speedboats when their target was fast asleep. Foropa is at the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean.
They were said to have shot sporadically into the air to scare Ebifeghe’s neighbours before breaking into her apartment to seize her.
Throwing decency and conscience to the wind, the kidnappers carried the centenarian into their speedboat and fled to an unknown place.
The Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO), the campaign team of APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva and Igiri, condemned the abduction.

Read also: Dickson’s political adviser kidnapped

SICO’s Director, Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, asked the PDP and its governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to lower the political tension in the state and lead by example.
He said: “This is only the latest in a rash of kidnapping, sea piracy that has apparently overwhelmed security agencies in the state.
“Last year, the uncle and guardian of our governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, also died in the hands of kidnappers.
“We appeal to those who have carried out this act to have compassion on our old mother in view of her age and please release her unharmed as she may not be able to withstand the rigours of this experience.”
But the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Media Team, Mr. Esueme Kikile, also condemned the abduction of Igiri’s mother and asked the APC to look inwards.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr.Nasiru D. Oki, confirmed the incident and said efforts were being made to retrieve the woman.

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