High Chief Matthew Opoto, the chairman of the Abissa Council of Chiefs in Rivers State's Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, has been abducted by gunmen on a speedboat.
While apparently travelling to his hamlet in the Abissa river, Opoto was apprehended and taken away.
The boat carrying Opoto and some members of his council of chiefs was reportedly caught by the marauders, who made the passengers identify their intended victim.
The king, according to local resident Minaibiye Dolphin, who confirmed the story, was a short distance from his destination when the attackers struck.
He said: “The chairman of Abissa council of chiefs High Chief Mathew Opito, (3rd) was travelling with some of his chiefs and about five minutes to arrive the community, gunmen came in a speed boat, identified him and took him away.
“We have no information about him. The entire community is worried, the chiefs, elders, youths and women, everybody is worried because there is no information about him up till now”.
Dolphin called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Navy Ship, Pathfinder (NNS Pathfinder) and the Rivers State Government to intervene and facilitate his release.
He said: “We are appealing and calling on the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the police, Army and the NNS Pathfinder and other security agencies to help and secure his release.
“There is no information as to why they kidnapped him, since we are not able to get in contact with the kidnappers,” he said.
When contacted, Bayelsa Police spokesman, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, saying the police had initiated a manhunt and investigations to free the monarch.