I turned prayer warrior in kidnappers den-freed campaigner

Simon Utebor, Yenagoa Mr. Robert Desmond, the Chief Executive Officer, New Face, a pro-All Progressives Congress campaign group in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, who was taken hostage on Saturday, February 26, 2018, has been freed by his captors. Desmond was abducted after a social event in Nembe, in the Nembe LGA of the state. The APC campaigner, who was released after one week in kidnappers’ den, said he was held hostage under harsh condition. Reliving his experience with his captors, Desmond said he turned a prayer warrior as he sought God’s intervention in his situation. He said though he was blindfolded for seven days, his constant prayers for the kidnappers to name their price and not kill him kept him alive until he was eventually released. Desmond, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said, “The condition I was kept was harsh and traumatic. I was blindfolded for seven days; I prayed that I should not be killed and that they should contact my family and supporters in order to give them the hope that I was alive. “The condition was very harsh and I would never wish my enemy such. On the day I was released, I heard them mention 5.30am and was moved in a paddled canoe. The canoe capsized, but the water was shallow, if not, I would have drowned.” Though Desmond did not indicate if ransom was paid before he regained his freedom, he simply said he was dropped off by his abductors at a border town between Bayelsa and Rivers states. The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the release of Desmond. Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, however, said no ransom was paid before his release. “The victim was released last Friday along Nembe creek and no ransom was paid. He reported to a police division in the area and the signal was sent to the command. I can confirm to you that he has been freed,” the police spokesman said. ***prbxselfnetwork***