A Monarch in Rivers state, High Chief Opoto was kidnapped on Friday by some unknown gunmen on a speed boat while he was making his way to his community in the Abissa river.
Minaibiye Dolphin, an eyewitness told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the monarch was a short distance from his destination when the attackers opened fire.
Minaibiye Dolphin said, “The chairman of Abissa council of chiefs, High Chief Mathew Opito, was travelling with some of his chiefs and about five minutes to arrive the community, when gunmen came in a speed boat, identified him and took him away.”
“We have no information about him. The entire commumity is worried, the chiefs, elders, youths and women, everybody is worried because there is no information about him until now.”
The Nigeria Navy Ship, Pathfinder, and the Rivers State Government were among the security authorities that Dolphin pleaded with to step in and secure his release.
He continued:
“We are appealing and calling on the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the police, Army, the NNS Pathfinder, and other security agencies help secure his release.”
“There is no information as to why they kidnapped him since we are not able to get in contact with the kidnappers.”
When we reached Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the state police command, she confirmed the incident and stated that a manhunt and in-depth investigation had already started to ensure the monarch’s release.
She said, “Yes, we are aware. We are making frantic efforts to ensure his early release as well as to apprehend the abductors.”
