By Sampson Boroh
Eighty-Year-Old Madam Benital Benson, mother of the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government(SSG), Rt.Hon.Kombowei Benson, regained freedom from her abductors.
It was gathered Madam Benson was rescued by operatives of the state special security outfit, Operation Puff Adder, after spending over a month with her captors.
Madam Benson was abducted on July 20th by unknown gunmen at Old Apo Legislative Quarters in Yenagoa , the Bayelsa State capital.
She was reunited with her son, Hon. Benson, and other family members at about 5:30pm in Yenagoa, the state capital.
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Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction.
It was also gathered that a sum of N4million was allegedly paid as ransom to the kidnappers.
However, Bayelsa SSG, Kombowei Benson, described the payment of the N4 million as a token gift to the kidnappers and not a ransom payment.
Madam Bental Benson, while laying hands and praying for the Commander of the Operation Puff Adder, expressed her gratitude to God and the men of the police force for securing her release from the kidnappers.
She said though her abductors treated her well, she was happy to be back home in one piece.
Speaking on the release, Bayelsa SSG vowed not to pay ransom despite five members of her family being victims of kidnapping in the state.
“Mama is back to the House and I want to give thanks to God and the security team in the state. I am so happy that my mother is back. Even if I tell people that ransom was not paid, they will not believe me.
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“When they demanded for N500million, I stood my ground. Even when I say I will not pay, I gave them a token to allow Mama came back home.”
Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng Eworo Echeng, told newsmen that the pressure from the police led to her release.
“Our message to those involved in such heinous act is that it is a crime and no matter how involved you are, you will be arrested”, the police commissioner added.
