Kidnappers seize 2 marine workers in Delta

[MrVan]

By EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

THE supervisor and dredging master of Practical Dredging and Marine Company Limited, Effurun, Delta State, have been kidnapped by gunmen at the company's project site in Egrangbene, a riverside community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Vanguard learnt, yesterday, that the workers: Robinson Gbakena and Denson Ojutuiwon, had been held hostage by the kidnappers, who are asking for N30 million ransom for one week.

They were abducted at gunpoint at about 12.00 pm, July 6, while carrying out a dredging job in the community.

It could not be immediately confirmed, but a  source said three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Managing director of the company, Barrister Owen Nanakumoh, said when contacted by Vanguard, that he was concerned about the safety of his workers and appealed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta to give necessary directives for their release.

He asserted, "The dredging work we are doing is a self-help project by the community, I am from the area and it is part of our contribution to the development of our area, we contacted the Federal Government, Ministry of Niger-Delta, Delta State Government, Burutu Local Government and other relevant government agencies before we embarked on this project, why should they kidnap innocent workers".

But, the kidnappers in a warning message to him, written in a badly constructed Pidgin English, said,  "Mr. we are telling you the bitter truth, somebody give us contract to kill you and your manager , as we met dare, we could not found u and the manager therefore, we take two of your workers and we want to hear from you before the work is done. If you refuse to pay those money that we demand, you will lose your workers. And your reply angrily needed".

Vanguard Nigeria