Gunmen abduct N15bn Odi fund chairman

Gunmen have abducted the Chairman, Odi Compensation Funds Disbursement Committee, Prof. Zibokere 
Daukiye.

Odi, a coastal community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been engulfed in crisis since 1999 when federal troops attacked it to avenge the murder of some security operatives by some youth.

The community was awarded N37.6bn compensation by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but was later paid N15bn by the Federal Government after negotiation.

However, the N15bn compensation paid by the Federal Government after series of legal actions had also caused disaffection between the people of the community.

The development followed series of allegations and counter allegations bordering on alleged diversion of a chunk of the money.

It was learnt that Daukiye, amid controversies, was appointed by stakeholders in the community to manage the disbursement of the compensation funds which had threatened to tear the community apart.

The unknown gunmen were said to have stormed the community on Friday.

It was further learnt that the gunmen stormed the place in a speedboat.

The gunmen, on arrival, were said to have first created panic in the community by firing gun shots into the air to scare the residents.

Residents were said to have fled in many directions for safety as the gunmen made for and invaded the residence of Daukiye.

The Bayelsa State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

Butswat said, “In the early hours of Friday, some unknown gunmen stormed the residence of Professor Zibokere Daukiye, the Chairman of Odi Compensation Fund Disbursement Committee, at Odi community, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

“The unknown gunmen abducted him, took him to a waiting speedboat and sped off to an unknown destination.

“A manhunt has been launched by a combined team of Marine Police, anti-kidnapping unit of the force and Joint Military Task Force to rescue the victim and arrest his abductors.”