At least,A big kudos should be given to the security operatives that handled this case,but at least the same preference/procedure should be used when anyone is help by abductors not minding their political status or significance. It was a big news yesterday as the 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. Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo was kidnapped on December 9, 2012 at the palace of the traditional ruler.
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.
A competent source at the SSS narrated the story below.....
National Mirror yesterday [Dec. 24] that six of the real suspects had eventually been arrested in Asaba, Delta State, and might be flown to Abuja today.
National Mirror yesterday [Dec. 24] 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 N40m ransom was actually paid for the release of the 82-year-old retired professor of Sociology.
“The N40m, which was paid to the kidnappers, was marked money
from the Central Bank of Nigeria. “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”
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.
Source- National Mirror
