Ebikeme was abducted last week by unknown gunmen who were said to have demanded a ransom of N60 million for his release. He later regained freedom shortly after Ijaw youths led by Government Tompolo mounted pressure on the abductors, it was gathered.
MEND, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by its spokesman, Bomo Jomo, alleged that the abduction, “was a cleverly orchestrated fraud masterminded by Ebikeme”.
Jomo alleged that a ransom of N500 million was paid by the Delta State government to “those involved in the scam”.
“It is rather unfortunate that in a desperate bid for relevance and extra funds to maintain a private jet, certain unscrupulous persons, including the Delta State police will conspire to deceive Nigerians with a phantom abduction and release of the so-called hostage,” the group said.
However, the Delta State Police Command spokesperson, Celestina Kalu, who confirmed Ebikeme’s release on Sunday, said the victim was set free without a ransom.
