The Nigeria Police has confirmed the release of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of Finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, five days after her abduction from Ogwashi-Uku in Delta state, an alert from the News Agency of Nigeria has said.

A corroboration of this claim was also contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Coordinating Minister, Paul Nwabuikwu.

"I can confirm that Professor Mrs Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukuka Okonjo and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was released this morning, five days after her abduction."

83-year-old Prof. Kamene was abducted at about 1:50pm on Sunday by gunmen who stormed the palace of her husband, Prof. Chukuka Okonjo who is a traditional ruler in Delta State.

The kidnappers numbering about 10 were reported to have been lurking around the palace for a while before seizing the queen when an opportunity to do so presented itself.

Her husband was said to be away when the gunmen struck.

Details of the circumstances surrounding her release are not public yet.