The whereabouts of King Simon Ebebi, the 78-year-old father of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi, remained unknown on Sunday, a week after he was kidnapped by unknown militants.
Our correspondent learnt in Yenagoa on Sunday that the deputy governor, who recently returned to the state, expressed sadness over last Monday�s kidnap of his father, shortly after the monarch�s return from South Africa, where he had gone for medical check-up.
Ebebi, according to a source, wanted the immediate release of his father, in order to prevent his health from deteriorating.
The Bayelsa State Police Command, the State Security Service and the officers and men of the Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Ngubane-led Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, had beefed up security in the state, while efforts were being made to secure the release of the royal father.
The Chairman of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Bayelsa State chapter, Chief James Jephthah, also stated that the kidnap of the traditional ruler by a splinter group of militants, had political undertone.
Jephthah said that the royal father would regain his freedom anytime from now, based on the level of discussions with the kidnappers.
Jephthah added that the committee was not ready to pay ransom to militants or criminals masquerading as freedom fighters saying that paying ransom to the militants would amount to encouraging the involvement of the able-bodied youths in militancy, hostage taking and restiveness.
He also noted that the prominent militants� leaders, who were involved in the peace accord, had agreed to ceasefire for one year, thereby giving President Umaru Yar�Adua enough time to a transform the Niger Delta.
The militants, who stormed the riverine community in many speed boats, shot sporadically for some minutes, before marching to the palace to pick the traditional ruler.
Meanwhile, the kidnappers of the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Nimi Briggs, have demanded a N100m ransom before his release.
The militants made the demand during a telephone call to the wife of the RSIEC boss during the weekend.
Our correspondent learnt that the call came shortly after the state governor; Chief Rotimi Amaechi, arrived the Briggs� home at the University of Port Harcourt.
The militants were said to have also allowed their captive to speak to his wife on the telephone.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association has urged Federal Government to speed up the process of releasing the former Vice-Chancellor of the UNIPORT Briggs.
This call was contained in a statement by the president and the secretary-general of the association, Dr. Dan Gana, and Dr. Ishaq Abdul, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent on Sunday.
In a related development, the Rivers State Young Professionals on Sunday condemned the kidnap of the former VC.
A statement by the group�s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Princewill Igenewari, said it was unreasonable for anyone to take Briggs hostage.
It asked the state government to stop paying any ransom to hostage takers because they have turned the struggle into money-making venture.
Dec172007