Delta state government has denied an allegation by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) that it paid those who kidnaped Ebikeme, son of an Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark the sum of N500 Million as ransom for his release.
In a statement, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay made it clear that it is the policy of the Government not to pay or encourage the payment of ransom by families as it would encourage more kidnappings.
MEND had, yesterday in a statement, alleged that the Delta State Government paid the sum of N500 million as ransom for the release of Ebikeme who was kidnapped and released a few days ago. In the statement, MEND also alleged that the kidnap was stage managed by Ebikeme and the police to swindle the State Government of such an amount.
The SSG said categorically that the state government did not part with any money as ransom for the release of Ebikeme. “The state government has had previous cases of high profile kidnappings that the victims have been kept much longer than that of Ebikeme. The government did not pay any ransom. What then is so special about Mr. Ebikeme Clark that will make the State Government pay ransom?
“Secondly, the volume of money being mentioned, N500m makes the allegation very foolish for anyone who knows how government runs and the logistics of that volume of fund movement, considering the fact that there were only two working days during the period.
“From the statement by the so called MEND, it is obvious that they are out not just to blackmail the State Government but also Chief E.K.Clark and the amnesty program of the Federal Government.”
Ovuozorie Macaulay reminded the people of the Niger Delta, especially those still hiding under the umbrella of MEND, that the tactics of blackmail, falsehood, rumour mongering and intimidation in the region are gone.
According to SSG, the region is in a phase of infrastructure and human capital development to catch up and ultimately ensure peace in the region, saying: “let all hands be on deck.”
