Vanguard MEND claims contact with kidnappers Augusta Douglas-Ayam on October 18, 2013 / in News 1:14 am BY Emma Amazie & Samuel Oyadongha The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday, claimed to have made contact with the kidnappers of Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam. The group claimed the kidnap was a protest against alleged misuse of military helicopter during the burial rites of the father, Pa Douglas in Okoroba in Nembe area of the state. MEND, in a statement by Gbomo Jomo, said though it declined to be an intermediary in the ongoing ransom demand, the kidnap was a protest action against alleged misuse of Federal Government facilities. Though the authenticity of the statement could not be verified it read: “MEND have made accidental contact with the abductors of the sister of Mr. Oronto Douglas. “The gang, in addition to seeking ransom, wants to use the kidnap to express their disgust at the ostentation they witnessed during the burial of Pa Douglas, which included the abuse of military helicopters that 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.”
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 07:30:20 +0000