Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have abducted Akari Loveday, the Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The incident took place on Friday, March 7, along a river while Akari was en route to Ayakoro, a community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, which is also the hometown of NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Although the Bayelsa State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement, a source within the community revealed that a combined security team has been deployed to locate and rescue Akari.
According to the source, the kidnappers intercepted the boat carrying Akari and other passengers, forcibly taking him into their own vessel. As they attempted to flee, the engine of their boat malfunctioned, forcing them to paddle to the riverbank. The kidnappers then fled into the bush with Akari.
Security personnel, including police officers, have initiated a search in the area to locate the victim. “The SA Domestic to the NDDC MD has been kidnapped while traveling to Ayakoro. The kidnappers took him from the boat, but their engine failed as they tried to escape. They had to paddle to the shore and then fled into the bush. There is now a heavy police presence around the area, with stop-and-search operations ongoing,” the source said.