We were paid N32m by Oronto as Ransom for his Sister-MEND
Busolami Idowu
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has claimed responsibility for the abduction of a sibling of President Jonathan’s aide and the destruction of feeder pipelines and wells in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States.
In a statement obatined by NigerianEcho MEND said; “The sister of Mr. Oronto Douglas, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research and Strategy was released unharmed as we promised. She however had developed high blood pressure and malaria during her captivity.
“Contrary to the claim the family made in a press statement that no ransom was paid, The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta can authoritatively confirm that the sum of $200,000 was paid as ransom.
MEND’s latest release is contrary to the earlier position where the Spokesperson Jomo Gbomo said they were not responsible for Oroto’s sister abduction but was contacted by the kidnappers to mediate which they declined.
Meanwhile, the group also claimed responsiblity for the killing of three soldiers and one policeman in a gun battle. MEND warned that militancy in the creeks was still a thriving affair.
“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta now has agents inside every oil company. In neighbouring Rivers State, on that same day that the Warri Refinery was sabotaged, a Joint Task Force escort gun boat was engaged in a shootout in the Andoni Local Government area…as they (ex militants) continue to delude themselves, display their ignorance and irrelevance, the region, as can be seen by the world is in turmoil that can no longer be hidden.”