Mother of finance minister kidnapped in Nigeria.

The Nigeria's finance minister's mother has been kidnapped on Sunday, sparking a "massive manhunt" on her captors, officials said.

Mrs Kamene Okonjo, an academic in Nigeria and also the mother of Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, ended up being abducted from her home in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, a Financial Ministry statement said.

"At this aspect, it is difficult to say whether those behind this step are the same individuals who have made threats against the... minister not too long ago or other elements with inhospitable motives, " the statement explained.

Police spokesman Frank Mba explained to CNN that "the (IG of Police) has ordered an enormous manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime. "

"He directed the police  that this time that no stone will left unturned in efforts at solving the transgression, rescuing the victim and reuniting the woman safely with her family, " Mba said.

Okonjo-Iweala lost her bid in April to become the next president of the world Bank -- the first ever challenge for the U. S. nominee in this institution's history.