adminABUJA. — A kinsman of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was kidnapped when some gunmen attacked his homestead in the southern state of Bayelsa, security and other local sources said yesterday. Inengite Nitabai, the victim and first cousin of the Nigerian leader, was kidnapped two days ago, according to Onyeman Nwachukwu, a spokesperson of the state Joint Task Force who confirmed the incident.
Nwachukwu decried the abduction, saying a manhunt had been launched for the abductors.
A family source said 70-year-old Nitabai, a high chief in the community, was kidnapped inside President Jonathan’s extended family compound after several gunshots fired by the gunmen.
“They were five gunmen. After shooting sporadically, they hit the old man on the head, with the butt of a gun,” said Jin Akinobebh, the victim’s sister-in-law.
The family had alerted security agencies after the kidnap incident, she added, although no statement had been issued by the Nigerian president or any of his aides.
There is an increasing threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria, Africa’s richest oil country. The abductions, either for political or financial gains, are usually motivated by terrorism or criminality. — Xinhua.
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