Prof. Kamene Okonjo, the mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been released by her abductors, according to a statement by Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister, Paul Nwachukwu.
The octogenarian was kidnapped in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State on Sunday at about 1:30pm at the Obi’s palace in Ogbe-Ofu Quarters by about eight gun-wielding men who came in two Audi cars.
“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,” Nwachukwu wrote.
“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.”
A day before her eventual release, security agents confirmed the arrest of 63 suspects, including two policemen, in connection with the kidnap, with Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, suspecting “insider collaboration.”
Madam Okonjo’s abductors had initially demanded a ransom of $1bn before later lowering it to N200m; and although Nwachukwu’s statement evaded the very important matter of the payment or otherwise of a ransom, the Police has not yet been linked to the aged woman’s release, meaning a ransom might have been paid, as was suspected to have been done in recent high-profile kidnaps.
