The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Tuesday, finally reacted to the abduction of a former state Commissioner for Special Duties in charge of Federal Projects, Mike Ogiasa, more than 40 days after the incident occurred.
Diri threatened that the perpetrators would face the wrath of the law while assuring that the state government was working to ensure Ogiasa regains freedom.
A statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the governor spoke during the 17th State Security Council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa.
Ogiasa, who is a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was kidnapped on June 2, 2022 by an eight-member gang from his country home at Otuogidi in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
The victim was spotted in a viral video on Saturday wearing only shorts in a flooded shallow grave with his hands and legs tied, and covered with black sack.
In the 27 seconds video, Ogiasa is seen appealing to family members and friends to pay the ransom demanded by his assailants in order for them to release him, crying that his life was more important than money.
He said, “It’s my life. Is the money that is there more important than my life? You’re seeing me in the grave (pit), please do everything possible to come and release me.
“Any money that is available, any money that you can make, do everything possible to come and release me. Is money more important than my life? Is money more important than my life?”
The governor, who condemned the kidnap of the former commissioner, stressed that his administration had zero tolerance for crime and criminality, and all those involved in the kidnap will not go scot-free.
He cautioned youths against involvement in crime, stating that it is an ill-wind that blows no one no good.
Diri urged them to seek legitimate means of making money rather than resorting to crime, stressing that the government had the capacity to deal with perpetrators.
He called on the people to support the government’s efforts to secure the state by availing relevant security agencies of necessary information as the government alone cannot successfully tackle insecurity.
He said, “Let no youth be used to terrorise our brothers and sisters. Recently, a video clip of a kidnapped former commissioner has been in circulation. Unfortunately, people take pleasure in using it to give a negative connotation and image about our state.
“The government is not sleeping on that matter. We are working on it and by God’s grace we believe and hope that the victim will come out alive. Mike Ogiasa must be released immediately. Security agents are working on it and I am sure in the end we will triumph.”
At the end of the meeting, the governor handed over additional 28 Hilux vehicles to the state police command to combat crime. They were received by the Commissioner of Police, Ben Okolo.
In December 2021, the governor also presented 50 patrol vehicles and 40 motorbikes to the security agencies in the state.
