Gunmen on Sunday stormed the palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo and abducted his 82-year-old wife, Prof. Kanene Okonjo who is also the mother of Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The kidnappers numbering about 10 were said to have been lurking around the palace in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state and perfecting their plans in the process before they struck. Her husband was said to be away out of town.

The octogenarian Queen was reportedly seized by the bandits at the gate of the palace at about 1.50pm. they were said to have hurled her into their waiting vehicle and zoomed-off to unknown destination.

An eye witness said, “as soon as the woman came down from the main building, towards the gate, the criminals also moved in from the gate to grab and push her into a waiting Golf Volkswagen car.

“The abductors when they walked into the compound were heavily armed. They were about ten. They bailed up the men fixing the interlocking tiles and asked them to lay face down. Immediately they saw her (the Queen) coming towards the gate with her maid to serve the workers soft drinks, they bundled her into their waiting Golf car while another car was parked outside.”

Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Charles Muka confirmed the abduction.