Why Jonathan’s Cousin Is Still In Kidnappers’ Den
3 min read
John ODHE, Yenagoa
It is exactly four months since a cousin Mr Mike Ogiasa, cousin of a former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Otuabadi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
The last time Ogiasa was heard from his captivity was in July when he spoke from a grave dug by his abductors in an unknown forest.
However, fresh facts have emerged concerning Ogiasa’s continuous stay in the hands of his abductors.
TNN investigation revealed that his kidnap may have been family related, over a piece of land reportedly sold by his family.
A close family source told our correspondent that the family allegedly sold a vast part of their land running into millions of naira and that Ogiasa was allegedly in possession of the proceeds of the sold land and was foot dragging to release the funds.
The source further revealed that the seeming refusal of Ogiasa to release the said fund created animosity within the family as some aggrieved members allegedly threatened to “deal with him” if he did not release the money without further delay.
It was gathered that Jonathan might not be unaware of the situation and the most probable reason for the kidnap of his cousin.
The source said “his (Ogiasa) kidnap as far as I am concerned is family related. It has to do with the proceeds from a piece of land sold by the family.
“The victim is the cause of his own problem. When you are in possession of funds belonging to a group of people, you must thread with caution,” the source said.
On the fears that the former commissioner for special duty may have been killed by his abductors due to the long silence hovering around his whereabouts, a police source who refused to be named because he was not authorized to speak, confided in our correspondent that Ogiasa was still alive.
He further revealed that there is a communication link between the victim and some members of his family but, however, noted that a high sense of diplomacy was being deployed in order to secure his release unhurt due to the sensitivity of the situation.
In a short video widely circulated on social media, the former commissioner was seen and heard crying from a pit dug like a grave while he was blindfolded with a black cellophane.
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He was crying for help, calling on well-meaning Bayelsans and Nigerians to help pay the ransom being demanded by his abductors in order for him to regain freedom.
Authorities of the Nigerian Police have reacted to the viral video showing the kidnapped Mike Ogiasa, cousin to Former President Goodluck Jonathan, pleading for ransom to be paid to his abductors for his release.
The video, which was released by unknown persons, showed the kidnap victim in a six feet hole dug in an unknown area and his head covered with a black nylon. His two hands were tied and he was begging his friends and families to arrange any amount in their possession for his kidnappers to release him
Ogiasa, who sounded scared for his life, was heard asking his families whether his life was not worth anything to them and pleaded that ransom demanded should be paid.
Spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the authenticity of the video, said the heads of security agencies had met to brainstorm on new strategies to ensure he was rescued unhurt.
According to Butswat, the police want to assure the general public and families of the victim of their commitment to secure his safe release from kidnappers den.
Also, the Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri, after the viral video of the victim, assured that the government was working with the police and relevant agencies to secure Ogiasa’s release.
Ogiasa was kidnapped on Wednesday June 2nd, 2022 by unknown gunmen, numbering eight from his country home in Otuabadi in Ogbia Local Government area of the State after coming back home from a meeting.
