The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has offered a $3-million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the abduction of one of its workers, Lorna Robertson, who was kidnapped on May 30 in St Andrew.
Robertson, popularly known as Nikki, served as a JLP scrutineer in the St Andrew South Eastern constituency. She was walking along Old Hope Road, near the Diabetes Association of Jamaica clinic, when she was reportedly pulled into a black Honda Stepwagon by a man. Closed circuit television footage captured the moment of her abduction.
She has not been seen since. Her family has since posted a $500,000 reward for her safe return.
Announcing the JLP’s $3-million bounty at an appreciation ceremony for party workers in St Andrew West Rural last Friday, Prime Minister and JLP leader Andrew Holness said the decision was made in consultation with the party’s chairman and the deputy leader for the area.
“…Having discussed the very tragic circumstances under which one of our workers was abducted in South East St Andrew… we take very close note of it and I’m very hopeful that the police will eventually find a lead, because such a crime should not go unsolved,” Holness said.
“We have decided that we will put up a reward of $3 million for information leading to the arrest of those persons who abducted our worker. We find it a very troubling occurrence and we do not intend to stop until we find out who are the people behind it, whoever they are connected to,” he added.
The police reported that the black vehicle used in the abduction was located two weeks ago. Investigators revealed that it had fake licence plates and that DNA samples have been collected from the vehicle. Several individuals have also been questioned in connection with the incident.
Amid speculation on social media that the incident may have political overtones, St Andrew South Eastern Member of Parliament Julian Robinson dismissed any such claims during the People’s National Party’s (PNP) annual Trafalgar divisional meeting on June 8.
“They’re trying to insinuate and suggest that it is politics that is behind it. I knew Nikki very well, and I won’t go into all the things but I had a close relationship with her,” Robinson told supporters at Gaynstead High School.
“I hope that she will be returned safely because the reality is, in Swallowfield, Labourite and PNP get along very well without any hostility, without any argument. Even though people have their own preferences, that is how we have existed within Swallowfield,” he said.
“The people know me — my name can’t call in certain things because I lead and I represent with integrity — so I don’t want any man suggest that PNP is dealing with those things, because the PNP no deal with that in this constituency,” Robinson continued.
“Nikki had friends, probably more friends who are supporters of the People’s National Party than those from the Labour Party. Nikki moved through the entire community and interacted with everybody and nobody never had no problem with Nikki. So I don’t know why somebody is going to try to inject politics into it now,” he added.
“The Friday that she was abducted, I went to her house the same day. I’ve spoken to her daughter and I hope that she will be returned,” Robinson said.
 has offered a $3-million reward in search of one of its workers, Lorna Robertson, who was kidnapped on May 30.){kind=link}