Kidnap Suspect Reveals How He Fed Ngozi Okonjo Iweala's Mother Bread, Groundnuts And Water

A member of the 10-man kidnap gang who earlier this month abducted the 82-year-old Prof, Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, confessed his involvement in the abduction and narrated how he fed the retired professor of sociology with groundnut, water and bread in the kidnappers' den.

The suspected kidnapper, Andrew Dime, aka Olokpa, 32, who hails from Enikorogha in Edo State, however, told Vanguard that he was only hired by the second-in-command of the gang to supply food to Prof. Okonjo on two occasions at a fee of N100,000.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, on the other hand, told Vanguard that Prof. Okonjo was kept in the custody of the suspect, who was in-charge of her feeding.

The second-in-command of the gang allegedly swindled him when he bolted with his N1 million share of the ransom collected for the release of Prof. Okonjo.

Apparently, to settle scores, the police said the suspect formed a new kidnap gang, which abducted an octogenarian at Aboh in Ndokwa area of the state.  But having obtained a database on the group after its leader, Nwaeze Nwosa, aka Bolaji was shot dead in Asaba, the police were able to track down the suspect.

Aduba told Vanguard that the police set a trap for him when it got information that he was in dire need of money for the yuletide by convincing him to sell one of the guns used for the abduction of Prof. Okonjo, which was in his custody. He fell for the trap and negotiated a price of N300,000 for a pump-action gun with a police officer, who posed as a buyer. He was, thereafter, arrested at Koka junction, Asaba, when he came to collect the cash.

Dark-complexioned Andrew, who spoke to Vanguard in an interview, debunked the claim that he formed a new kidnap gang and that he was the one that negotiated the sale of pump-action gun, which was used to ensnare him.

A police source said he was being economical with the truth, adding: "Most of these people (referring to criminals) will never tell you the truth when you arrest them until you get other members of the gang to confront them."

Below are the excerpts of the interview with the suspect

What is your name?

Andrew Idime.

How old are you?

32.

Where are you from?

I am from Enikorogha, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of  Edo State.

Where do you live?

I live at Army Barracks, Onitsha.

Do you know why you are here in police cell?

For now, I know why I am arrested. Some friends of mine, they indulged themselves in kidnapping act. One of them is Chiboy and another is Biggy.  The person I know very well is Chiboy. It was through this Chiboy that I met Biggy. I was trading on used shoes and my business was not moving well. So Chiboy called me that there is something that I was going to do. I asked him what it was, he said there was somebody I was going to drop food for and that I was going to drop food twice and that they would settle me. Therefore, I went there truly, he brought an Okada man (motorcyclist), the Okada man took me there, and I dropped the food twice.

He said that if I dropped the food there that he was going to call them. That if I dropped the food, I should call to let him know that I have dropped the food beside that bridge on that Kwale road. That when I dropped the food, they would come and take the food. I went there twice and dropped the food at that particular spot. They said they were going to give me N100,000. But the N100,000 I did not see it.

Were you not told who was kidnapped?

I do not know the exact person they kidnapped. They did not tell me. I am a neutral person. My job there was to go and drop the food.

Did you not know you were doing wrong thing as the person was in the hospital?

No, he said that his boys need food so I should go and drop groundnut, bread and water for them.

Why did he send you, why did he not drop the food himself?

He is a leader. He said he wants me to, at least have some token in the business.

Which business are you talking?

He said he had involved himself in kidnapping business

Which means you were told what they actually did?

They told me.

Are you saying you do not know when you were dropping the food that you will be counted as one of them if caught?

Yes, I knew.

So, why did you take part?

It is because of my condition

What is your condition?

I am not living well; my business is not moving well. I needed little money to assist my business.

What we heard was that Prof. Okonjo was kept in your custody?

No, no, no, I swear to God. I do not live in Delta State.

You have a house in Asaba?

Of course, I have a house but I have checked out for a long time based on the rent. The house was too costly for me

You said you were neutral, then, tell us what Chiboy and others told you about how they kidnapped Prof. Okonjo?

Until they rounded up their business, even up to date, I have not seen Chiboy. I was holding one of his numbers, but right now, the number is not going through.

There is no way you would be asked to go and drop food for somebody that was kidnapped without you asking or finding out the story of how the person was kidnapped. What  exactly were you told?

They only told me they have kidnapped somebody and that the person is at Kwale. That what I am going to do is to take the food to a particular bridge, that if I get to that bridge, I should flash him and he was going to call his boys. That if I dropped the food, I should not delay there. That I should drop the food, enter the bike immediately and move.

Were you taking bike from Onitsha to that place?

No, he was the person that brought the bike, not from Asaba. I entered bus to Ibusa and from Ibusa, he would now bring the bike. The bike person, it seems, is his private bike man, so the bike person would now take me to there.

From the story that you have told so far, it seemed you were party to the kidnapping?

I have involved myself already because of my going there to give them food, which has already made me a party. However, I do not know the exact person that they kidnapped but I have involved myself in this act.

You were arrested when you came to sell a gun?

No, the boy that wanted to sell the gun ran away.

Tell us how sharing of money brought misunderstanding among the kidnappers?

In bringing of food, he (Chiboy, the leader) told me to bring the food twice.

Did you buy food with your money?

He bought it; he was the one that brought the money. He does not reside in one place. He promised that he was going to give me N50,000 each. So, I accepted to go and drop and collect N50,000 because it was an easy one. Therefore, I went there twice. However, when they brought the money I did not see him. The N100,000 they promised as my share I did not see. Who am I to go and challenge him?

How were you arrested?

The police arrested me yesterday (last Thursday) because there was one of my friends, Chuks. He said that based on this Christmas period, that he does not have money and that he wanted to sell one of his pump actions. So he negotiated with one boy, so when the boy came, they were three in the car. He told me to go and inform them to drop and come out so that they would negotiate. I was to tell them to off the motor engine and that Chuks was waiting down there. Therefore, when they grabbed me, he ran away. In the process when I was asking what's all about, I was arrested.

We learnt you also involved yourself in another kidnapping, what is your role in the new kidnap gang?

My role was to be with the man in the bush. I was supposed to stay in that bush with the victim

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SSS Arrests Kidnappers Of Ngozi okonjo Iweala's Mother In The Bank

Luck ran out on the abductors of Prof. Keneme Okonjo as they went to the bank to deposit their loot. Operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, have arrested six of the abductors of Prof. Keneme Okonjo, mother of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala.

Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwuashi-Ukwu, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, was kidnapped on December 9, 2012 at the palace of the traditional ruler.

However, through concerted efforts of the combined security agencies in the country, the victim was released on December 14. But in a bid to unravel those behind the kidnapping, arrests were made by the police, Army and men of the SSS.

Last week, 63 of the suspects earlier arrested by the Army were released unconditionally when their culpability could not be established. A competent source at the SSS told National Mirror yesterday that six of the real suspects had eventually been arrested in Asaba, Delta State, and might be flown to Abuja today.

The source also confirmed that a N40m ransom was actually paid for the release of the 82-year- old retired professor of Sociology. Explaining how the suspects were arrested, the source said: “The N40m, which was paid tothe kidnappers was marked money from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Police said no ransom was paid, then we heard N10m ransom was paid, now its N40m ransom. Which of these stories do we believe? Which is the truth? Is the truth even among the stories heard so far?

“What happened was that the money was paid on Wednesday by our men and by Thursday, two persons had gone to the Nebisi Road branch of an old generation bank to deposit N15m out of the money.

Because it was marked money, they were promptly arrested. “Our men were able to track four of the kidnappers with the aid of the two persons. Right now, we are on the trail of the remaining four suspects.

“The six suspects are supposed to be brought to Abuja tomorrow (today) to face further interrogation.”

Asked why the operatives were not able to arrest the suspects the time they came for the money, the source explained: “Don’t forget that as at that time the woman was still with the kidnappers and they could decide to kill her if they suspect anything phony. “Our major concern then was to ensure that the woman regained her freedom and was not harmed in any way.

In fact, that was the point the minister kept hammering to us. “She said that we should do everything possible to secure her mother alive, even if it meant paying whatever ransom the kidnappers asked for.

“If you know how this is done, once they came for the money, we knew that the game was up for them. We knew that we must get them unless they would not spend that money in Nigeria.”

Okonjo-Iweala had shortly after her mother release said that the abductors were unhappy with the administration of the fuel subsidy and SURE-P programmes.

Okonjo-Iweala, who had recounted what her mother told the family after her ‘miraculous’ escape from the den of the dare-devil abductors, said: “I can’t give all the details because we don’t want to compromise ongoing investigations. “But I can tell you one thing: My mother suffered a great deal during this ordeal.

It was only the Almighty God that rescued her from a situation that could very easily have ended tragically. “Apart from the emotional trauma of being violently taken away from her family and kept incommunicado for five days in a strange environment, a woman of 83 years was left without food for five days. “We give glory to God that she is alive today to tell the tale.

While she was in their custody, the kidnappers spent much of the time harassing her.

They told her that I must get on the radio and television and announce my resignation. “When she asked why, they told her it was because I did not pay oil subsidy money. They also said I had blocked payment of money to certain components of the SURE-P programme.”

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How Kidnappers Harassed And Starved Ngozi Okonjo Iweala's Mother For Five Days

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday said those who abducted her mother harrassed her, leaving her without food or water for FIVE days.  The octogenarian, who was kidnapped on December 9 regained her freedom last Friday after spending five days in the kidnappers’ den.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Okonjo-Iweala said the period was a difficult one for the family, adding that her mother stayed for five days without food and water. She said, “I can’t give all the details because we don’t want to compromise ongoing investigations. But I can tell you one thing: my mother suffered a great deal during this ordeal.

“It was only the Almighty that rescued her from a situation that could very easily have ended tragically. Apart from the emotional trauma of being violently taken away from her family and kept incommunicado for five days in a strange environment, a woman of 83 years was left without food for five days.

“While she was in their custody, the kidnappers spent much of the time harassing her. They told her that I must get on the radio and television and announce my resignation. When she asked why, they told her it was because I did not pay oil subsidy money.

“They also said I had blocked payment of money to certain components of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.” The finance minister said these statements were untrue, adding that genuine marketers whose claims had been verified have been paid.

She said, “These statements are, of course, not true. In the case of subsidy payments, we have been paying all marketers whose claims have been verified by the Aig-Imoukhuede Committee after going through the necessary processes.

“For marketers whose transactions are proven to be fraudulent, the position of the Goodluck Jonathan government is also clear: we cannot and we will not pay. We will not back down on this. We will continue to stand firm.”

She added, “In the case of SURE-P, there is a totally different process that I have no control over. This is the right thing to do. And this, I believe is what the Nigerian people want.” The minister said the experience had rekindled her resolve to discharge her duties effectively to the country.

She added, “This experience has strengthened my faith in the country. The outpouring of love from all over the country has been simply overwhelming.”

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Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Reveals Why Her Mother Was Kidnapped

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of  Finace , Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala revealed Monday that her mother, Prof Kamene Okonjo was kidnapped by those who claimed their fuel subsidy payments were blocked and the non-release of SURE-P funds.

She said her mother was  neither given food nor water during her kidnap. Professor Kamene Titi Okonjo,  the 82-year-old retired professor of Sociology at the University of Nigeria, UNN, Nsukka, was released  six days after a 10-man gang seized  her from her home at Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

If she knows those people and is sure her was kidnapped for these why not bring these people in for questioning immediately, or are they the untouchables?

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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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Detailed Account Of How Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Mother Was Released, N10 MILLION Ransom Paid

Kamene Okonjo, the mother of finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, released Friday after six days in captivity, was dropped off the road by her captors, in Benin City, Edo State, after collecting between N10 to N11 million ransom.

A young boy, suspected to have been used by the kidnappers as a “sacrificial lamb” to lead the old woman to safety after the ransom was delivered to them on Saturday, has been arrested by security agents to help in their investigations on the identity of the hostage takers.

Prof Okonjo flown to Abuja Professor Kamene Okonjo was shepherded to her Ogwashi-Uku home by security agents, who kept the information secret.

Journalists, who mounted siege in the country home of the Okonjos waiting for her to be brought home did not know that she was already inside until about 1.56 pm when they noticed movement in some the compound.

It was only then they found out that she had come back. Unlike December 9 when she was forcefully taken away, she was quietly led, yesterday, from the house, to enter a vehicle for the airport, evidently on her way to Abuja, to reunite with her daughter, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The chartered flight that took her Abuja from Asaba Airport departed at about 2.29 pm. Her son, Onyema, accompanied her. Soldiers, Police and Customs officials prevented photographers from taking pictures throughout.

It was gathered that because of the situation at home, her husband and monarch of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi Chukwuka Okonjo Agbogidi, who travelled 24 hours before the queen mother was abducted, was advised not to return home yet.

As it is, security would be beefed up in the palace and security agents, including soldiers deployed to the palace before the monarch would return to Ogwashi-Uku, a family source told Rhipplemedia. Rhipplemedia learnt that the ransom was dropped and coolly collected by the hostage takers, between N10 m – N15 million ransom paid

Our source was not emphatic on the amount paid, but he said, “Between N10 million and N15 million was paid as ransom”

We gathered that it was after the kidnappers satisfied themselves that the Okonjos kept to their side of the bargain that they released the family’s matriarch on Friday morning in Benin City.

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Kidnapped Ngozi Okonjo Iweala's Mother Released

Kamene Okonjo,  mother of Nigeria’s Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, kidnapped last Sunday in Delta State, has been released. Special Adviser on Media to the Coordinating Minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, said the wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Chukuka Okonjo, was released Friday morning, five days after she was abducted from their palace.

“I can confirm that Professor Mrs Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukuka Okonjo and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was released this morning, five days after her abduction.

“The Okonjo Family is full of thanks to the Almighty for this happy development. The family is also highly appreciative of the support and encouragement of President Goodluck Jonathan;  the Country’s security services for their excellent operations; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Peter Obi of Anambra, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and other Governors as well other friends and well wishers within and outside government for their prayers and encouragement during a very difficult period. May God bless you all,” Mr Nwabuikwu said in the statement.

He did not offer any further explanation on how her release was secured, nor how much ransom was paid. Prior to the release, speculations were rife that Mrs Okonjo’s abductors had made various demands, including an initial demand for the payment of about N1billion, which later reportedly reduced to N200,000.

It was reportedly yesterday that the abducted later reviewed that catalog of demands to include a call for the immediate resignation of Minister from office, apparently because of her principled stance of the issue of investigation of petroleum subsidy payment to marketers, which has attracted a lot of acrimonious attacks from some affected persons.

Meanwhile, Charles Nukah, the spokesman of the police in Delta State said the command is not aware of the release of the minister’s mom.

Thank God she has been released safely. Let it not stop there, everybody involved should be brought to book not just because it affects the Okonjos but because its crime that

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Update On Kidnap Of Okonjo Iweala's Mother: Soldier Arrests 63 People

The bad thing about this is that, some innocent people will pay the price for a crime they know nothing about. They should use caution in as much as they are using aggression to get to the bottom of this to avoid unnecessary collateral damage.

About 63 people were Wednesday arrested in Ozanogogo town, Ika South local government area of Delta State by soldiers of 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in connection with the kidnapping of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch and mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Over 30 soldiers stormed the town in the evening hour when the men of the small community were returning from their various farms and other places.

Jerry Opute lamented the indiscriminate arrest of citizens of his community, which he said has led to people deserting the town and other neighbouring communities.

“According to the reports from my people, soldiers from the 4 Brigade in Benin invaded the town in the evening of Wednesday, and arrested whoever they see. My younger brother, Gaius, who was returning from farm was arrested. Two of my cousins were also arrested with one of their in-laws who came from Benin where they were meeting to arrange the burial ceremony of their father.

“Come to think of it; what would a kidnapper who was demanding hundreds of millions of Naira be doing in the farm? I am of the opinion that security operatives should make arrest based on security and intelligence reports, rather than engaging in indiscriminate arrest of innocent farmers who know next to nothing about kidnapping,” Jerry lamented.

He therefore called on relevant authorities to look elsewhere for the kidnappers of the Monarch’s wife and release their innocent kinsmen whom he said were “mere farmers still struggling to cope with the shock and after effect of the flood that sacked their community.”

The Public Relations Officer of the 4 Brigade, Captain Rose Managbe, confirmed the arrest of the 63 suspects to Rhipplemedia in her office in Benin. Meanwhile, the police have debunked rumours this morning that the kidnapped Queen of Oguwashi-Uku Prof. Okonjo might have been killed.

A caller who did not disclose his identity told P.M. NEWS on phone that her dead body was sighted somewhere along Omomo Road, close to Agbor-Obi, in Delta State. When contacted on phone, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, said he was not aware of the report.
“I am not aware of that. That is the height of falsehood. I am in contact with the Agbor DPO, and he has not briefed me of anything like that,” Aduba said.

PM NEWS

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Update On The Kidnap Of Okonjo Iweala's Mother: 2 Policeman Arrested

Two policemen have been arrested for the abduction of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother, Delta police chief Ikechukwu Aduba said yesterday. Besides, the abductors are said to have contacted the family. Details of the conversation with the family remained unknown last night.

The family made an emotional appeal to the kidnappers to free Mrs. Okonjo, saying the 82-year-old grandmother was frail in health. Mrs Okonjo was abducted on Sunday from her home in Ogwuachi-Uku, Delta State.

The police had earlier arrested a suspect, who had just left the palace when the hoodlums stormed the place and kidnapped Mrs. Okonjo.

Aduba said: “We are not aware of any ransom and we will never support the payment of ransom”.

“For those who believe in the force, we have always rescued their victims unhurt without the payment of ransom. A case in point is the son of the SSG who was rescued without ransom and several other cases.

“We cannot cover up anybody; investigations were carried out and the two police officers who were supposed to be on duty are now in detention,’’ he said.

Aduba said that there were usually insiders in every kidnapping and bank robbery, among others.

He said the police had strengthened its artillery, which led to the arrest of 20 armed kidnapers in the past few days.

“For me, we have been doing our best, the state criminal investigation and the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have been able to round up 20 kidnappers of four separate gang.

“We rescued some victims yesterday at Akukwu-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

“Also Thursday last week, we intercepted a gang of kidnappers that were heading toward Ogwashi-Uku and we recovered their guns.

“There is a 24-hour patrol in this state and within five minutes of getting distress a call we are there, the kidnap of the Queen is an unfortunate incident,’’ Aduba said.

The commissioner reiterated that those with “hostagevalue’’ should be very careful and watch their backs. He advised them to endeavour to report any suspicious movement around them. He said that security was the responsibility of all, not only for the police force.

“Around lunch time on Sunday, some gunmen came to the compound and forced the gate open and took my mother away. The family is upset and traumatised,” the minister’s younger brother, Onyema Okonjo, told Reuters at the house.

“To abduct a grandmother more than 80 years old is sad. We appeal to them to release her as soon as possible because her health condition is not good,” Onyema added.

In a passionate appeal, Mark urged them to honour the time-tested biblical injunction that “we should honour our parents and, by extension, those who are old enough to be our parents”.

In a statement by his Media Adviser Kola Ologbodiyan, Mark said abduction of any Nigerian is condemnable, adding that the abduction is an attack on Nigeria’s international reputation.

Urging the police to ensure the safe release of Mrs.Okonjo, the Senate President said the abductors should be brought to book. “Abductions are causing the nation’s reputation grave harm in the comity of nations,” he said.

Minister of Police Affairs Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) has instructed Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to deploy Special Police Officers from the Force headquarters, Abuja to assist in locating and freeing Prof. Okonjo from her captors.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop on ‘Budgeting for Effective Policing in Nigeria ’, the minister said: “It is a very disturbing issue. In unraveling this matter, the police must take into cognizance that we have a role to let others know that such incidents will be given equal treatment. It could have been the mother of anybody’.

“Already, the IGP has deployed his men and they are working round the clock on the issue. The IG is on top of the situation. However, I have instructed the IGP to deploy specialist officers from Abuja if need be, to help in fishing out the culprits”.

The palace of the Obi of Ogwuashi-Uku has been surrounded by policemen since the abduction on Sunday.

Police said someone purporting to be one of the kidnappers phoned on Monday to make some demands, but it was impossible to say whether the call was genuine.

“We have to identify the source of the call … Anybody can make spurious calls and demands,” said Delta State police spokesman Sergie Ezegam, without giving details of who was contacted or what was demanded.

“We still don’t know the reason for her abduction. What we know is that this is a crime, the woman’s life is in danger and we are making frantic efforts to rescue her,” he added.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has received threats in the past, her special adviser Paul Nwabuikwu said on Sunday.

Security operatives have continued to lay a siege to Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State where the Queen Mother of the kingdom was kidnapped.

Security operatives were all over the palace yesterday. Residents in the neighbourhood were restless.

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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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Nigeria FInance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala's Mother Kidnapped

Gunmen on sunday abducted the mother of the Minister of Finance, Prof Okonjo-Iweala in Ogwahi-Uku, Delta State.

Okonjo-Iweala’s mother who is the wife of His 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.

It could not be immediately ascertained if security men were at the palace when she was kidnapped.

Delta State police public relations officer, PPRO, Mr. Charles Muka in his reaction said “yes, we (police) have got the information on the kidnap and we have also got information that will lead to the arrest of the hoodlums”.

According to a dependable source, the woman who is a trained medical doctor and a professor was pushed into one of the Audi cars and driven to an unknown destination. The source, who pleaded anonymity, said security agents have been drafted to the palace for fear of the unknown.

A senior police officer in the State who pleaded anonymity however said that massive manhunt has commenced to rescue the Queen of Ogwashi-Uku.

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