No Ransom Was Paid For The Release Of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala's Mother - Police

In what seems to be the biggest kidnap to rattle the entire nation so, it was resolved quite well. One reader said the kidnappers dont know to price in the kidnapping industry. How can they fall from $1b to N200m. That was meant to be wisecrack but in light of the situation, it is not remotely funny. I wish prices of good and services in Nigeria will follow that pattern of price slash.

News had it that a ransom of N10m was paid but police says otherwise. I dont wanna know the detail about paying or not paying ransom for now. Im happy she made it out alive. About the truth of paying ransom, only God knows we may never know.

After five days in captivity, with 63 arrests made and a reported demand of $1 billion ransom, Prof. Kamene Okonjo, the abducted mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Friday  regained her freedom without any drama.

The only drama, perhaps, was the fact the 82-year-old professor of sociology had to ride on a commercial bike to the palace of her husband, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo.

However, Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, said the special task force set up by the inspector-general of police and other security agencies in the state were able to secure Prof. Okonjo's release  “without the payment of any ransom”.

The police commissioner's clarification was apparently to quell the suspicion that some ransom may have been paid to the abductors who were believed to have made a demand for $1 billion before, reportedly, reducing the sum to N200 million.

Confirming the release of the Okonjo family's matriarch, special adviser (Media) to Dr Okonjo-Iweala, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, said in a press statement: “I can confirm that Professor Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukwuka Okonjo and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was released this morning, five days after her abduction.

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Police Denies Knowledge Of $1billion Ransom For Okonjo Iweala's Kidnapped Mother

Where did the news of $1billion ransom originate from? It cant be made up. I beg dear kidnappers, please release the old woman, I beg you.

Police are looking in Okonjo’s family for clues to the kidnappers. The police in Delta state has denied abductors of Kanene Okonjo, mother of Nigeria’s Finance minister, are demanding $1billion as ransom.

Delta state police commissioner, Ikechukwu Aduba, said the police is not aware of speculated demands. He said the police are working hard to rescue the 85 year old professor. The mother of the Finance Minister was kidnapped Sunday afternoon from her home at about 1:30 pm by eight gunmen who invaded her husband’s palace at Ogbe-Ofu quarters in Ogwahi-Uku.

Shortly after her arrest, the police declared they already had information about the kidnappers and have deployed a “massive manhunt” for them. The police promised to rescue her in 24 hours.

Although the 24 hours given by the police has long passed, the state’s police commissioner is optimistic his officers will bring the professor back home, unscathed “soon.” “We have been able to rescue about 40 victims before,” Mr. Aduba said.

Insider factor

As part of its investigation, the police said it is inviting family members and close associates of the victim for questioning. Mr. Aduba said in cases like this, there is always an “insider factor” and his command is not leaving that out. One of the children of the Okonjo family, Onyema Okonjo, had earlier blamed security lapses for the kidnap of his mother.

Lucrative industry

Kidnapping, once used as a tool by militants to challenge marginalization of the oil rich states of the Niger Delta, has become the most lucrative crime in the area.

Security experts estimate the kidnap crime industry is worth over N10 billion in the Niger Delta states.

In Delta state, atleast a dozen government officials and others with familial links to government officials have been kidnapped.

Often, families of the victim are made to part with huge sums to secure their release.

Most victims also deny paying ransom to secure their release, thereby encouraging the crime which thrives on intimidation.

PREMIUM TIMES

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Kidnappers Of Okonjo-Iweala's Mother Demand 1Billion Dollars Ransom

 

What kinda crack are these criminals smoking to demand such amount? $1billion?!

The Kidnappers that Abducted 82 Years Old Mother Of Finance Minister Prof. Kanene Okonjo at their family home in Ogwashi uku, Delta state, are demanding for a whopping $1 billion ransom.

 Majesty, Professor Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo Agbogidi, the reigning Obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom was kidnapped Sunday at about 1:30 pm from the husband’s palace at Ogbe-Ofu quarters in Ogwahi-Uku by eight gunmen who stormed the palace in two Audi cars.

The demand for a $1billion ransom according to source was relayed to the family of the woman this morning.

Its yet to be seen how the family will react to this development, but in a statement made available to elombah.com yesterday, the minister's spokesman Paul Nwabuikwu said; "at this point, it is difficult to say whether those behind this action are the same people who have made threats against the Coordinating Minister in the recent past or other elements with hostile motives. No possibility can be ruled out at this point."

Meanwhile Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide has demanded the immediate release Of Dr. Okonjo Iweala's Mother. In a statement made available to elombah.com and signed by Prince Charles Anyasi, the National Coordinator / Spokesman, the group said:

"Once again, the image smear on Delta State has been brought to the fore with the unfortunate kidnapping of the aged mother of Nigeria's energetic Finance Minister, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo Iweala from her home in Ogwashi-Uku a few hours ago. A few months ago, it was the turn of another prominent Anioma family to sweat in search of their mother who was abducted in her farm.

"Nothing can be hurting as the current worldview of Delta State encapsulated in BBC's report of the unwholesome development, stating inter alia: Nigeria is one of the worst countries in the world for kidnapping, where it is a lucrative criminal enterprise worth millions of dollars a year.

"The crime is particularly prevalent in the oil-rich Delta State, although high-profile victims are uncommon.

"The question is; how did we get here? Whether this latest heinous act was orchestrated as a payback for the Finance Minister's principled stand on the current Oil Subsidy imbroglio or as a message to scare innocent indigenes making preparations to be with their kit and kin in this festive season, the perpetrators had better get it clear that, as Daniel Defoe would say, Justice is always violent to the party offending. Yes, the offenders may not feel the violence now, but, before long, they certainly will.

"Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide wishes to state categorically that a situation where citizens toiling diligently for the society's positive turnaround are being punished by satanic elements can no longer be condoned. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of this old woman.

"As thousands of people get into celebration mood, many travelling to their respective home lands, we call on the security agents to beef up action and assure the public of safety.

"The time to act is now!"

Source: Elombah

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