Wife of Nigeria's central bank boss released by kidnappers

The wife of Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been released by kidnappers with the help of the army, according to family sources.

Margaret Emefiele together with four others were taken by heavily armed abductors on Thursday. According to the family her rescue was ‘‘due to the gallantry of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Forces.’‘

A source close to the governor is reported to have disclosed that Mrs. Emefiele was kidnapped along the Benin-Agbor Road on Thursday.

All hostages were released late Friday night and taken to the headquarters of the Delta state police in Asaba. The circumstances of their release was not officially known, AFP reports.

Local media however reported about a demand of ransom by the abductors. Sahara Reporters portal quoted a source as saying the kidnappers had earlier demanded N1.5 billion. But said the family eventually paid 80 million naira ($255,000) for her release.

Kidnappers Release Wife Of Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Emefiele | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/1swa6dzSS0

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) October 1, 2016

Godwin Emefiele was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in March 2014. His tenure has faced a sharp deterioration of the economy, particularly because of the fall in oil prices from which the country derives most of its revenue.

Kidnapping against ransom are common in Nigeria, particularly in the oil rich south, and frequently target local notables or expatriates workers in the region.