A High Court in Bayelsa State, sitting in Yenagoa, has handed down a death sentence to four individuals convicted of conspiracy and kidnapping.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Patience Diri, found them guilty of violating Section 2 (1) of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Other Related Offenses Law of 2013.
The convicts, identified as Manager Etonzor, Daniel Derietiedei, Inimotimi Rufus, and Tari Firstman, were implicated in a botched kidnapping attempt that resulted in the abduction of a company secretary and the extortion of a ransom.
Failed Kidnapping Attempt Turns into Ransom Demand
According to police prosecutors, the gang, led by Etonzor, stormed the premises of a dredging company in Ayama Ijaw, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Their primary objective was to abduct the company’s owner, but when their initial plan failed, they resorted to violence, firing gunshots and forcing employees to flee.
Amidst the chaos, the assailants discovered a 28-year-old secretary hiding inside the office. They seized her at gunpoint, looted ₦400,000 from the company’s safe, and whisked her away to their hideout via boat. The victim was held captive for one month and three days, during which her family and employers were coerced into paying a ransom of ₦6.5 million for her release.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Following her eventual release, operatives of the Bayelsa State Anti-Kidnapping Squad launched a thorough investigation. The breakthrough came with the arrest of the gang leader, Manager Etonzor, whose confession and subsequent interrogations led to the apprehension of his accomplices.
During their trial, the accused denied the charges, alleging that their confessions were extracted under duress and that they had been intimidated by law enforcement officers. However, the court admitted their confessions, witness testimonies, and other evidence presented by the prosecution.
Final Verdict
After reviewing the case, Justice Diri ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court found all four men guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping and sentenced them to death by hanging.
The ruling sends a strong message about the zero-tolerance stance of Bayelsa State against kidnapping, a crime that has plagued the region in recent years. Authorities continue to warn against involvement in such criminal activities, emphasizing the severe legal consequences for offenders.