Benson Adigio-Eseni, 87, uncle to Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State has died in the hands of his abductors, the Bayelsa State police command says.
The police say one of the suspected kidnappers already in police custody, said Adigio-Eseni died on August 14 after suffering shock.
The suspect, simply identified as Nelson, 27, said the victim died before the family paid a N5million ransom for his release. He also said that the deceased was buried in Kula town, a border community to Rivers and Bayelsa State.
“The old man looked sick. At night, while he was eating, he started choking and slumped. We rushed to his aid but he died before we could help him,” Nelson said.
A police autopsy has been commenced on the body to ascertain the cause of his death, police says.