By Osagie Alonge
Three days after her abduction, negotiations have begun for the release of Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
As reported earlier, Okonjo was kidnapped on Sunday, December 9, 2012 in front of her Ogwashi Uku home in Delta State.
Reports say the kidnappers had contacted the Okonjo family demanding for the sum of N200 million among a list of conditions for her release.
This contradicts earlier reports saying the kidnappers had asked for $1bn. The Delta State Police issued a statement claiming there was nothing of such.
It might be more than just money the kindappers are demanding as THISDAY reports that the abductors first demanded the resignation of the minister as a precondition for the release of her mother.
Okonjo-Iweala has been advised not to travel down to Delta State because of security reasons.
Aduba stated that the police had arrested the queen’s police orderly, who was supposed to be on duty on the day she was kidnapped, another policeman and two domestic staff in the palace over the incident.
‘The abduction of any Nigerian is condemnable. The abduction of the mother of a notable Nigerian like Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is an attack on the international reputation of our dear country’, senate president David Mark has said in a statement.
Mama Okonjo is 83-years-old.
