The mother of Nigerian Finance Minister and former World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was kidnapped on Sunday from her home in the country’s south, a statement from her ministry said.
“Earlier today, Professor (Mrs) Kamene Okonjo ... mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was abducted from her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State,” the statement said.
“At this point, it is difficult to say whether those behind this action are the same people who have made threats against the coordinating minister in the recent past or other elements with hostile motives. No possibility can be ruled out at this point.”
Okonjo-Iweala has pushed to clean up corruption in one of the world’s most graft-ridden nations, particularly related to a fuel subsidy programme alleged to be riddled with graft.
Kidnappings for ransom have occurred frequently in Nigeria’s southern oil-producing Niger Delta region, but rarely with such high-profile victims.
The minister has been struggling with fuel importers over payment of subsidies, with government officials delaying payments to allow for verification of claims.