The Rivers State Police Command on Wednesday gave an insight into how the mother of the state governor-elect, Celestine Omehia, was found after being reportedly kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.
The woman, Cecilia Omehia, was allegedly seized from her Ubima home in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state on Monday night and taken to an unknown location in the state.
The kidnap of the politician�s mother generated a lot of tension for most part of Monday and even forced his son to stay away from the May Day Celebration in Port Harcourt, where he was billed to address the workers.
The Police Commissioner, Rivers State Command, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, who was billed to address journalists on the incident, later changed his mind and issued a statement.
In the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Mrs. Ireju Barasua, the command said that the release of the woman was made possible through the concerted effort of security agencies and the Rivers State Government.
The command stated that a seven-man unidentified gang abducted the politician�s mother and took her away to a place she did not know but that they did not harm her.
It said, �The release of the woman became possible following the intervention of the Rivers State Government, which pleaded with those holding her to release her considering her age and condition.
�The police in conjunction with other security agencies set up a high-powered monitoring and investigation team to find the woman.
�She was brought to Port Harcourt and handed over to the family.
�The most important thing is that she has been seen and she is hale and hearty.�
In a telephone interview, Barasua, a deputy superintendent of police, said that she did not know who brought the woman to Port Harcourt and that no arrest had been made in connection with the abduction.
Attempts to speak with the woman were also not successful.
One of the aides to Omehia had initially agreed to pass on the request for an interview to the governor-elect but later said that the request was yet to be considered by his boss.
Security was beefed up around Omehia�s official residence close to the Rivers State Government House.
There was calm in the state capital on Wednesday although the incident was being discussed in many circles, especially by civil servants and politicians who did not know about it on Monday.
At the Rivers State Secretariat, workers were seen in clusters discussing the matter.