Mrs. Edith Thomas, wife of Charles Kurobo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, has raised alarm over the alleged abduction of her husband by armed men. The incident reportedly occurred on November 19, 2024, at their home along Opolo Road, near Saipem, in Yenagoa.
According to Mrs. Thomas, her husband, a known critic of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the pipeline surveillance contracts managed by Tantita Security Company, was forcefully taken by individuals dressed in police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniforms. The assailants arrived in a convoy of 15 vehicles at about midnight, shattering windows and firing gunshots before taking Mr. Kurobo away.
Describing the harrowing incident, she said:
“Around midnight, our sleep was shattered with sounds of gunshots and shouts for my husband to come out. We were gripped with fear, and to save our lives, he surrendered. The men wore police and civil defense uniforms, and their convoy looked like a total invasion.”
Despite visiting the Bayelsa State Police Command and the Department of State Security (DSS), the family has been unable to locate Mr. Kurobo. Both agencies have denied involvement or knowledge of his arrest.
Mrs. Thomas has pleaded with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to assist in finding her husband. She expressed fears for his safety, saying:
“The Police and Governor Diri are the only hope I have to find my husband. Please help us before something bad is done to him.”
Charles Kurobo, a former aide to Governor Douye Diri and Chairman of the Niger Delta Ex-agitators’ Leadership Forum, Bayelsa chapter, has been a vocal critic of key regional programs, raising questions about the possible motives behind his abduction.
Authorities have yet to provide an official statement on the incident or updates on Mr. Kurobo’s whereabouts.