Yenagoa—Following the reported release of Tari Ajanami, owner of popular 64 Lifestyle nightclub in Yenagoa, over the weekend, his abductors have detained his wife and her 74-year-old dad.
According to Leadership Newspaper, Ajanami’s abductors stated that they were detained because the 15 million naira ransom paid is less than the 200 million naira ransom earlier demanded.
It was gathered that Tari Ajanami, 43, who was abducted at his building site in Yenagoa, was released at an exchange point in Ahoada, Rivers State.
The ransom was said to have been handed over to his abductors around 11:45 pm, without the knowledge of the Police authorities and friends of the victim.
But things took a negative turn when his abductors insisted on the completion of the demanded 200 million naira and held unto his wife and her father who brought the ransom.
A source close to the family revealed that the wife of the abducted club owner has high blood pressure and was without her drugs when she was abducted.
“We are, however, waiting to hear from the kidnappers. We learnt their Satellite Mobile Phone gadget popularly referred to as Thuraya phone fell into the water during the ransom exchange.
“You know 15 million was taken to the ransom exchange point. The kidnappers collected the money and maybe held unto the wife and her father to demand more money from the victim.
We plead with the kidnappers to tamper justice with mercy,” the family source said.
Efforts to confirm the release of the club owner and the abduction of his wife and father proved abortive as officials of the Bayelsa Police Command say they only heard rumors of the abduction.
”He has been released but we have not been officially informed. He should have come forward for debrief,” a Police source revealed.
Another police officer who does not want his name mentioned as he was not directed to speak stated that although they have the personnel to investigate, rescue and arrest the abductors, “we don’t have the logistics and vehicles needed.”
He continued: “For a state like Bayelsa, we only have one vehicle and some dilapidated ones to combat crimes in the state.
“other vehicles are handed to the state security outfit, Operation Door Akpor, due to political patronage.”
