15th February, 2016
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George has confirmed the kidnap of his 85 years old mother, Mrs Patience Tam-George by unknown persons.
Tam-George said the hooded and unknown abductors ambushed his 85-year-old mother on Saturday, at 8:55pm on her way home after church service.
He said they have contacted him with his mother’s cell phone and have demanded for a ransom of N30 million before they can release her.
“Yes, my mother was kidnapped on her way from church, at about 8:55pm, on Saturday. She is 85 years old and her name is Patience.”
“My mother is 85 years old. My mother cannot hurt anyone. She had gone to church, as she has done for years, to pray and worship God.
“My mom, Patience Tam-George, was abducted by masked gunmen at her home in George Ama, Okrika. They sped away with her in a waiting speed boat. She is 85 and unwell,” he said.
“The kidnappers have now made contact with the family using her phone, demanding N30 million for her release.”Curiously, they warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for “challenging” them.
“I am appealing to her abductors to release my mother unhurt to the family. My mother is a harmless woman,” Dr Tam-George pled.
The Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Mohammad confirmed that the command had received information about the kidnap of the mother of the Commissioner for Information.
“Emerging facts indicated that the abducted woman in Okrika is the mother of the Rivers Commissioner of Information.We are making efforts to rescue her unhurt,” he assured.