From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Mr Mike Ogiasa, has sent a distress message from the den of his abductors pleading for his family and Bayelsans to do everything to secure his release.
Ogiasa was kidnapped from his country home in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on June 2, 2022.
His kidnappers have made contact with the family, but the family has not been able to raise any money to pay his ransom.
In the 27-seconds video which went viral across Bayelsa State over the weekend, the abducted Ogiasa was shown in a six-feet hole dug in an undisclosed area, his head covered with black hood. His two hands were tied, he was pleading with his friends and family to pay the abductors any amount in their possession for his release him.
“You’re seeing me in this grave. Please do everything possible to come and release me. Any money that is available … any money you can make. Do everything possible. Please any money that is available. Is money more important than my life? Please do everything that is possible,” he cried.
When contacted, the Bayelsa State
Police Command, which confirmed the authenticity of the video, said it was on top of the situation.
Spokesman of the command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed that heads of security agencies had met on Friday night to brainstorm on new strategies to ensure he was rescued unhurt.
According to Butswat, the police want to assure the public and families of the victim of their commitment to secure his safe release from the kidnappers den.