Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Thursday said Mrs Agusta Douglas Ayam, elder sister of Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Strategy and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas because of the display of too muich wealth during the burial of Oronto’s father recently.
Mrs Ayam was kidnapped on Monday by a 9-man gang who are now demanding a ransom of N500million to free their big catch.
MEND in a statement signed by its spokesman Jomo Gbomo claimed that it made accidental contact with the hoodlums.
The statement said the kidnappers were expressing their disgust over the display of wealth during the burial of Douglas father earlier this year.
It further said besides the motive of ransom, the kidnappers were concerned about the abuse of military helicopters which were used as a social shuttle service to ferry guests when such could have been put to better use.
Part of the statement read: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has made accidental contact with the abductors of the sister of Mr. Oronto Douglas, Special Advisor to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research and Strategy.
“The gang in addition to seeking ransom wants to use the kidnap to express their disgust due to the ostentation they witnessed during the burial of Pa Douglas which included the abuse of military helicopters which were used as a social shuttle service to ferry guests when such could have been put to better use.
“As we do not wish to be dragged into playing the role of an intermediary with kidnapers, we have declined their request to get involved based on principles.
“We however appealed to them to release the victim who was last seen looking well but harassed unharmed at the earliest.”