Kidnapped expatriates released in Bayelsa

Category: News Published on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 05:00

Six foreign sailors abducted by unknown gunmen along Koluama waterways in Southern Ijaw local government Area in Bayelsa State yesterday regained their freedom.

Daily Trust findings revealed that the expatriates made up of two Indians, one Russian and three Ukrainians were freed on Monday night after the leader of the gang identified as Ngopi reportedly settled for N1m ransom.

Sources said that the Azuzuama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state facilitated the release of the expatriates as the kidnappers used the creeks of the community as their hide out.

A source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the government through the community prevailed on the kidnappers to release their victims, adding that the ringleader of the kidnappers however insisted that since they had fed the expatriates for some days, they needed some money to set them free. “He later collected N1m,” the source said.

Contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kingsley Omire, confirmed the development in a telephone interview adding that no ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the expatriates.