Despite the release of 82-year-old mother of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy/ Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by her abductors some weeks ago, men of the police force in Delta state have not given up on their search for the criminals and have vowed to prosecute everyone involved in the abduction of the octogenarian.
Delta state Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba made this known on Sunday in Asaba.
According to him, prior to the release of Prof. Okonjo, four suspects were earlier arrested during the rescue operation, suspect whose name he simply gave as Andrew a. k. a Olokpa was arrested only last week in Asaba, Delta State capital.
Aduba said, “The first day, we arrested four suspects including two known criminals, Bright and Bolaji. Bolaji is now late because of the gun shot injuries he sustained while trying to escape. These two were earlier involved in the kidnap of a victim who they killed after collecting ransom from the family.
“The one we arrested about three days ago is one Andrew aka Olokpa who hails from Edo State. Initially, he told us that he was contacted to supply food to the victim in the bush but now he has confessed that he was part of the planning that led to the abduction.
“These are known ruffians and they are in our custody. We will get the others who are still hiding because we have a database on them. Investigations are still ongoing. Surely, we must get to the root of this matter,” he vowed.
It was however being speculated that there was disagreement over the sharing formula of the ransom allegedly paid to the hoodlums as the new kingpin following the death of Bolaji bolted away with the loot meant for the others.
Aduba claimed he was not aware if ransom was paid to the hoodlums, emphasising that the police would not support the payment of ransom to hoodlums.
Professor (Mrs) Kamene Okonjo was kidnapped by 10 gunmen at the gate of her husband’s palace in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State on December 9. She regained her freedom on December 14.
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