By Our Reporter
The police in Delta state has denied abductors of Kanene Okonjo, mother of Nigeria’s Finance minister, are demanding $1billion as ransom., just as Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan vowed to rescue the 85 years old mother of Finance Minister of Nigeria.
Urhobotoday gathered that Delta state police commissioner, Ikechukwu Aduba, told PREMIUM TIMES that the police is not aware of speculated demands. He said the police are working hard to rescue the 85 year old professor.
Although the reporter said he could not independently confirm the ransom demand as close associates of the victim refused to comment about her kidnap on record.
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 her back home, unscathed “soon.”
“We have been able to rescue about 40 victims before,” Mr. Aduba said.
As part of its investigation, source close to the police alleged that the police would be inviting family members and close associates of the victim for questioning. Mr. Aduba was reported to have state that in cases like this, there is always an “insider factor” and his command is not leaving that out.
In aother development, Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged the people of Ogwashi-Uku and the Okonjo royal family not to take the laws into their hands as the Government was doing everything possible to rescue the abducted queen of the kingdom, Prof kamene Okonjo.
Besides, he assured the royal family of Professor Obi Chukwuka Okonjo and the entire people of Ogwashi-Uku that Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, would be returned safely and in good state of health.
The Governor, who gave the charge yesterday at Ogwashi-Uku when he visited the family in the palace, stated that law enforcement agencies in the state were already in the field gathering information as well as tracking down the perpetrators to ensure her safe return.
In particular, he enjoined the community leaders, vigilante groups and the entire Ogwashi-Uku community to remain calm and not to take any action that may prompt the kidnappers to act in rash manner that may be detrimental.
He stressed that only peaceful disposition as well as collaboration and cooperation with the law enforcement agents would ensure the desired objective at this point in time.
Dr Uduaghan urged the people not to be involved in rumours mongering as it was capable of jeopardizing the on-going rescue efforts, explaining that only useful information would be required as the situation was delicate.
“Please do not get involved in rumours mongering and trading stories that will not help law-enforcement agents. Only information that will help in her rescue is needed now”, he stated.
The Governor said that the perpetrators of the crime would be tracked down and brought to book adding that law enforcement agencies in collaboration with the government will not rest until they were apprehended and brought to book.
He assured the Okonjo family that everything was being done to ensure the safe return of Prof Kamene’s, explaining that all hands were on deck to arrest the suspect.
Emphasizing further, he said “I have been in touch with officers of various law enforcement agencies and I assure you that Prof Kamene will be safely returned. The perpetrators of such a despicable crime will be brought to justices”.