Two cousins of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience Egbeni and Kate Eni, have been abducted by gunmen.

According to reports, they were both abducted on Tuesday morning at Akimpelai, Ogbia local government area in Bayelsa by six gunmen dressed in military camouflage.

The women are said to have been abducted from their provision stores located along the riverbank, forced into a waiting speedboat, where they were taken to an unknown location.

The incident, which occurred a few days to a grand reception being organized for President Jonathan on May 29, is said to have devastated the President’s extended family.

The source said: “The victims are two maternal cousins of the President. We know that they have been preparing to welcome the President after the May 29 handover. Unless they are rescued before then, their dream of welcoming their brother will be a mirage.”

When contacted by the Nation, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Butswat Asinim, said: “The gunmen were dressed in military camouflage. They went to the provision stores of the victims at the riverside and abducted them into a waiting speedboat.”

Asinim said the marine and anti-kidnapping squads of the police, including the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, have been contacted on this issue.