Police Rescue Two Kidnapped NDDC Workers From Bayelsa Forest After Two Days
The rescued victims have been identified as Akari Loveday, the Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to the NDDC Managing Director, and his brother, Emmanuel Nathan Ogbuku.
Operatives of Operation Puff Adder have rescued two senior staff members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) who were kidnapped on Friday along the river en route to Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Ayakoro is the hometown of the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The rescued victims have been identified as Akari Loveday, the Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to the NDDC Managing Director, and his brother, Emmanuel Nathan Ogbuku.
According to senior police sources, the rescue was made possible by the intense pressure mounted by a tactical team from Operation Puff Adder, the drone team of the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, and a private drone company, Ability Security Services.
The Nigerian Navy’s NNS Soroh also provided support, deploying gunboats to secure the river and aid the operation.
SaharaReporters learnt that the Operation Puff Adder team was led by DSP Chris Nwaogbo.
A source close to the police rescue team disclosed that the police and the kidnappers engaged in a chase through the creeks and rivers of Ayakoro, where the abduction occurred, extending into the Onuebum-Eboi and Otuogidi forests.
“On Saturday, the youths and vigilante groups from Ewoi, Otuogidi assisted with local intelligence. The Paramount Ruler of the Ewoi community prevailed on the youths and vigilante to help the security team to rescue the NDDC staff,” the source said.
The victims were abandoned at the Ayama burial ground following a fierce exchange of gunfire.
It was also reported that the kidnappers released the abducted NDDC staff after the gunfire exchange.
“We don’t believe they are familiar with the Bayelsa forest,” a source added.
Members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad also joined the Operation Puff Adder team in the rescue efforts within the forest.
Residents of Ayakoro community erupted in celebration upon the arrival of the Chris Nwaogbo-led police team and the rescued victims.
