Okonjo’s kidnap: Police investigate family members

Investigation into the kidnap of Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother, Professor Kanene Okonjo, is being extended to members of the family and palace guards, the Delta State Police Commissioner Mr Ikechukwu Aduba has said. Parading 22 kidnap and robbery suspects in Asaba on Thursday, Mr Aduba said the Command was beaming its searchlight inward for possible insider’s involvement that had been manifested in over 80 per cent of recorded cases of kidnapping in the state. According to him, the Command is also investigating the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogwashi-Uku for any obvious error or lapses on their part, adding that any of them indicted by evidence would be made to face the wrath of the law, irrespective of rank or status. Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba stated that proactive measures have been put in place to deal with all criminal-minded persons in the state within 24 hours, assuring that the Queen Mother, and indeed other victims in the den of kidnappers would soon regain freedom. He revealed that 25 kidnappers and armed robbery suspects had been nabbed in the past one week, one of them suffered fatal bullet wounds. This, he said, is in addition to recovery of eight arms, 34 ammunition, two explosives and four SUVs.