Sister of Nigeria State Governor Kidnapped by Gunmen

Nancy Dickson, sister of Governor Seriake Dickson, was abducted from her shop along with her sales assistant in the state capital Yenagoa on Saturday, police spokesman Asinim Butswat said in a

statement.

Gunmen have kidnapped the sister of the governor of Nigeria’s oil-rich Bayelsa state, police said on Sunday, but it was not clear if the abduction was politically-motivated or for ransom.

“Four unknown gunmen in an ash-coloured Lexus jeep, tailed Nancy Keme Dickson, 26 years, to her shop at Okaka road, Yenagoa, and abducted her and her sales girl,” he said.

Police had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

The abduction comes as her brother seeks re-election in Bayelsa, the homestate of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan who lost the March election to President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC).

But the Dec.5 vote in Bayelsa state was declared inconclusive because of violence and electoral irregularities in the southern Ijaw area. A re-run in the affected area has been fixed for Jan.9.

Kidnapping for ransom, which largely involved foreign oil workers, was rife in the oil-producing Niger delta until a 2009 amnesty significantly reduced unrest in the region.

The victims are usually released after the payment of ransom.