Here is a more realistic ransom demand from Okonjo Iwela's Mother kidnappers,i sincerely pray these guys are caught.

Negotiations have begun in earnest with the kidnappers of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was kidnapped on Sunday in Delta State.

THISDAY gathered Tuesday that the kidnappers had contacted the Okonjo family during which they listed conditions for the release of the minister’s mother, chief of which was that the family should part with N200 million.

The demand for N200 million was made after an initial demand for N1 billion, which the family made clear it could not pay.

According to sources, the abductors who telephoned the family at noon on Monday, initially demanded to speak with Okonjo-Iweala, but were not allowed to do so.

Rather, they were made to speak with the eldest son of the victim, Onyema, who relocated to Ogwashi-Uku on Monday to coordinate the release of his mother.

However, the minister, who was also ready to travel to Ogwashi-Uku, was advised against the trip by the Delta State Government and security agents.
It was learnt that the abductors first demanded the resignation of the minister as a precondition for the release of her mother.

Security sources said Onyema, however, insisted on speaking with his mother to ascertain the state of her health and to be sure that he was not dealing with impostors before he could negotiate with the abductors.

After he had spoken with his mother, whom sources said was alive and well despite the trauma, the kidnappers changed their demand by asking Okonjo-Iweala to bring the money the Federal Government had recovered from oil marketers who had abused the fuel subsidy scheme.

Further negotiations with the kidnappers made them reduce the ransom from N1 billion to N200 million, it was learnt.
“We are waiting and hope that progress can be made,” one of the sources told THISDAY.
Onyema, in a telephone interview with THISDAY, however, debunked media reports that the kidnappers had demanded $1 billion as ransom.


He said: “We do not have any further information at this time. I do not know where people got the story that the kidnappers are asking for $1 billion ransom; that is certainly not true.

“As soon as we get any information, we will keep you informed. But we have not heard anything from them so far, it’s all rubbish and rumours that they are asking for $1 billion.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, also denied the report that the kidnappers were demanding $1 billion ransom.
He said his command had deployed personnel to the nooks and crannies of the state in search of the kidnappers.

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.

“Some arrests have been made, but I cannot disclose those who have been arrested for security reasons. We cannot disclose some information because of the sensitive nature of the investigation we are carrying out.

“Our major concern is to ensure that mama is rescued. We have spread our dragnet to all the nooks and crannies of the state,” he said.
It was also learnt that the state government is trying to use backroom channels to facilitate the release of the minister’s mother.

Another source said several people, aside from the efforts by the police and other security agencies, were working “underground” to free Okonjo.


He said an informal body of local indigenes had been commissioned to scan the various surrounding communities for clues that might lead to the rescue of the retired professor.


“We are confident that by the close of the day (yesterday), the fog around it would have been clearer. Our interest is in her rescue in the soonest possible time,” he said.

THISDAY checks also revealed yesterday that Okonjo’s abduction has raised concern over the security situation for residents of Ogwashi-Uku.
They are now apprehensive about engaging in social activities because of the heavy presence of security operatives in the town.

“The situation here remains the same, everywhere is calm, security people are everywhere and one has to restrict his movement for now to avoid being used as a scapegoat by these security people because for them everyone is a suspect,” a resident said.

Investigations further revealed that the local vigilantes have been helping security agents comb the bushes in and around Ogwashi-Uku for possible clues on the whereabouts of the kidnappers.

Reacting to kidnapping, Senate President David Mark Tuesdayjoined others to plead for the release of the minister’s mother.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, Mark urged the abductors to release Okonjo because of her age. She is 83.


According to him, “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.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/kidnappers-demand-n200m-ransom-for-okonjo-iweala-s-mother/133327/

Myopic people rejoice when their "enemies" are in trouble, those with foresight, know that if that so called enemy is in the same boat with you the storm that is wrecking him will soon get to you. While the issue of kidnapping further destroys Nigeria's already battered image, some people come here to rejoice that it is happening to a perceived enemy without looking at the big picture. You will know the extent of damage(DAmnediMAGE) when you want to travel out or when you wish to do genuine transaction with foreigners.

We must all collectively frown at evil irrespective of who it is happening to at the moment

People's prayers are not going to be in vain. We should focus more on prayers while the security men do their work. As for the ransom, the family should seek the face of God and go according to his direction.

Let them pay it fast fast. They have the money

I thought they will demand CBN as ransome.
Well, after paying this sum, she will start to advice the govt to investigate and make sure that every kobo approved for Nigerian security operatives are utilized to the later and not ending in a ''crony's'' pocket/bank account.

kai! dem for force her to resign. this kidnap seems politically motivated. I knew they were finally gonna pay a ramsom. Nigeria police should be ashamed of themselves. at the end they will parade innocent people as the suspects.

though kidnapping is bad but at times force is needed to coerce people into submission, those kidnappers should know that they cant get the money cos they wont pay into bank account. And more over dropping the money at a designated place wont work either. So the best thing is to force that woman to resign, a woman who has no interest for the poor masses. Smh for this country of clueless leaders.

This is more realistic. Whoever †ђξ I.diot was that came up with the stupeed $1b ransome should rest his head in shame.

[sup][/sup] you need to understand the feelings and reactions on the people that are rejoicing. most people here are condemning the abominable act of kidnapping but they are only rejoicing to the fact that the people that could effect a change in the society but refused to do so under the illusion that they are immune to the societal ills, are now affected.

It is a rude awakening to reality for them. They go around in a bubble of protection with lots of police and soldiers but ordinary citizens are exposed. Let them have a feel what ordinary citizens experience daily. They are responsible for Steering this country to it's present state of despair. I don't mean Okonjo is solely responsible, but she is in their class.

Techwriter: Myopic people rejoice when their "enemies" are in trouble, those with foresight, know that if that so called enemy is in the same boat with you the storm that is wrecking him will soon get to you. While the issue of kidnapping further destroys Nigeria's already battered image, some people come here to rejoice that it is happening to a perceived enemy without looking at the big picture. You will know the extent of damage(DAmnediMAGE) when you want to travel out or when you wish to do genuine transaction with foreigners.

We must all collectively frown at evil irrespective of who it is happening to at the moment

Legalising kidnapping in NIGERIA ;Dbravo

AW WOULD D GRANDMA-NAPPERS GET THE MONEY WITHOUT BIN CAUGHT...

Let her pay the money,she got more than enough

Let them pay the bleeping money jooor..afterall 200m is not enough to buy a private jet..

Governor Uduaghan, it is past 24 hours, oh! You said the kidnappers would be found within 24 hours. Foolish declaration.

Meanwhile, I thought police orderlies are only allowed by law for Local Government Chairmen, Governors and deputies, Judges and the Presidency. The police officers should get a good lawyer to defend them over the illegality.

I hate that someones mother has been kidnapped, but they have the opportunity to make Nigeria more secure.

Instead of restructuring policing in Nigeria, they assign security officials to family members on tax payer money. If Ogwashi Ukwu police is efficient and 10 minutes away from any emergency as is the case in developed countries, there is no need for a personal police to be following NOI's mother. I assure you that David Cameron's father (if alive)does not have police orderly following him around.

I do hope the kidnappers are caught. I would only support such action as a political statement for the reformation of Nigeria. As a Christian, I believe in hard HONEST work to make a living. That's a value that we have lost as a nation.

The chicken are coming home to roost. While it kidnapping is condemn,it is a form of social revolution. What is the hope of a graduate with degree, without job and collateral to secure loan for business and who started petty trading in Lagos whose shop Fashola pull down for obstructing trafic on Oshodi and took to Okada but his Okada business was proscribed sized and crushed.

If Ogwashi Ukwu police department is efficient and 10 minutes away from any emergency as is the case in developed countries, there is no need for a personal police to be following NOI's mother.

They have the opportunity to restructure the police, and they do nothing.

Stevechibu: Let her pay the money,she got more than enough

Is she the one that wil pay the money

Beliv me or not, this money wil be deducted 4m what belongs to you & I

This is trash, the poster and all those that are in support of this post should know that they are not dealing with touts.The post here is trash, very heavy trash.

Who knows, they might just add this in next years budget. 'Ransom payments for kidnapped officials family members, and other overheads'.

The Kidnappers are sounding like Politicians! First they want her to resign, next they want her to pay from the recovered subsidy funds? How sure are we that these are not agents of the subsidy thieves?

Why d initial call 4 her resignation, n bringing d money recovered 4rm subsidy. Hmmmm! I smell somtin fishy abt those surrounding our dear finance minister.

Release the Queen joor. All these oil marketers should learn how to do business and stop ripping off the government and the people of Nigeria. If these marketers/kidnappers are Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw, Berom, Ibibio, Fulani, Oyibo or whatever tribe, may God punish you abundantly.

Oil Subsidy crime is still a bigger crime than kidnapping as it robs the entire poor of the country. That is not to say kidnapping should be condoned. GEJ's tenure will be judged to a great extent on how he handles these crimes. Results from Opinion polls suggest tat he is currently on very poor side of the score sheet.His aides that are fooling him that everything is nice out there will soon jump ship when they find their boss sinking. Oga, be wise.

Techwriter: Myopic people rejoice when their "enemies" are in trouble, those with foresight, know that if that so called enemy is in the same boat with you the storm that is wrecking him will soon get to you. While the issue of kidnapping further destroys Nigeria's already battered image, some people come here to rejoice that it is happening to a perceived enemy without looking at the big picture. You will know the extent of damage(DAmnediMAGE) when you want to travel out or when you wish to do genuine transaction with foreigners.

We must all collectively frown at evil irrespective of who it is happening to at the moment

You are the myopic one. Many ordinary Nigerians have already suffered and are suffering from crime brought about by the decay in government which Iweala is a part of. My family and I have been victims of home invasions, car jackings, police/army brutality e.t.c. Have the priviledged Iweala family suffered from any of this? They are the ones that now realise they are in the same boat with us. Barstewards...all a dem. E no go better for all a dem and if you support dem, e no go better for you too!!

ypzilanti: Governor Uduaghan, it is past 24 hours, oh! You said the kidnappers would be found within 24 hours. Foolish declaration.

The governor suppose to resign since his words are not coming forth.
He just wake up and say something without putting the machinery at work

Mstcchhhew! They should adultnap patience and force jonathan to resign together with his vice. Then the 1st runner up in april 2011 election should take over PERIOD.

Super1759: they will certainly be caught..
They negotiate via phone and the vigilantees are combing the area. The perimeters of the call zone can be traced and the surrounding can be combed.
If they work this way,in few days the game will be up....

But her resignation is what I don't understand. Why?

Do you think they are still in Delta. Why do you think they delayed till Monday before making request.
They must have gone into hiding in a different state