The police say they are aware of the ransom demand by the kidnappers in the President’s home state.

The kidnappers of Richard Seiba, the traditional ruler of Okordia Kingdom in Bayelsa State, have demanded a ransom of N50 million.

Mr. Seiba was kidnapped, from his home in Okordia, Yenagoa Local Government, on Saturday, at about 2.00a.m.

The kidnappers reportedly gained entry to the monarch’s residence after cutting the metal burglary proof in one of the windows.

A family source confirmed, Monday, that the kidnappers established contact with the family on Sunday night to demand the ransom.

“The kidnappers called last night (Sunday) and said they wanted the sum of N50 million before the king would be freed,” the source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa, Fidelis Odunwa, said the police was aware of the ransom demand, but could not confirm it.

He said the police had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers and would try to secure the release of the monarch.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Sunday, sent a delegation to Okordia to sympathise with the community.

Kidnapping has been on the rise in many parts of Nigeria particularly in the South.

Kidnappers last week released the Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Technology after an unspecified ransom was paid. The Vice Chancellor was kidnapped at the entrance of the institution and three policemen attached to him wounded by the gunmen.