By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa-The Ebeni Ibe of Atissa Kingdom in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, King God-win Igodo, has regained his freedom 26 days after he was abducted from his palace by armed youths.

The monarch, who is in his 70s, Vanguard gathe-red, reunited with his family on Tuesday night at his riverside Obogoro community, few metres from the Bayelsa State Police Command.

He was reportedly taken away to Opobo in Rivers State after his abduction. His kidnappers, it will be recalled, came through the Yenagoa River and disappeared through same route into the creeks the day he was abducted.

The kidnappers had established contact with his family 72 hours after the abduction and demanded N25 million ransom for his release.

Though it could not be ascertained if any ransom was paid for his release, a source closed to the family told Vanguard that the traumatised monarch was released in Opobo, Rivers State.

According to source, the kidnappers may have had a change of heart and set him free due to his old age and poor health.

The source said: “He (monarch) suffered so much discomfort in the hands of his captors and this may have informed their letting him go since nobody was prepared to meet their demand.”

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Eguavoen Emokpae, said he was yet to get the official report on the monarch’s release.