We were about to free Okonjo-Iweala’s mum when her captors released her — Police

The Delta Police Commissioner said he does not know whether ransom was paid for Mrs. Okonjo’s release.

The police had gotten wind of the secret location where Kamene Okonjo was kept, and were preparing to go free her from her abductors when she was released, the police have said.

Mrs. Okonjo, the mother of Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was freed by her abductors on Friday morning after being held for five days.

She was held in a suspected hideout in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, the police said.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, briefed journalists on Friday on the release of the 82-year-old wife of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Chukwuka Okonjo.

Mr. Aduba said the command had been tipped off on where the woman was being held by her captors, and was mobilising to raid the place when they were alerted of her release.

He said that the woman, who is the mother of Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was brought home in the early hours of the day by a motorcyclist.

“As soon as I received information of her release, I rushed to Ogwashi-Uku and I met mama. She was hale and hearty and that is what really matters now,” he said. “mama has reunited with her family.”

The police commissioner said he is not aware that any ransom was paid for her freedom.

The commissioner also said that full investigation into the incident has begun.

The command had on Tuesday, announced that it had arrested and detained two mobile policemen who were on duty at the residence of the Okonjos when the woman was kidnapped.

Mrs. Okonjo was abducted at her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State at about 12.30 p.m. on Sunday by 10 unidentified gunmen, who were said to have arrived at the compound in two green-colour Volkswagen Gulf cars.