Five kidnapped Pakistani oil workers regain freedom

[Mirror]

Five Pakistanis abducted by gunmen off the coast of Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State about two weeks ago, regained their freedom in the early hours of Wednesday.

The expatriates, who are members of staff of Metrix Energy, an oil servicing firm, were abducted on May 24 and kept in a hideout during their incarceration.

It was gathered that a former Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Udengs Eradiri, and other members of the sociocultural group, facilitated the release of the expatriates.

The released Pakistanis include; Rashid Igbal, Wajid Muhammad, Waqas Admed, Mushtag Admed and Mujtaba Ghlum Muhammad.

Investigation by National Mirror revealed that a ransom may have been paid to secure the release of the expatriates, but the former IYC scribe said no ransom was paid.

Eradiri said the oil workers were handed over to officials of the State Security Service, SSS, in Bayelsa State at about 2.00pm on Wednesday, noting that they have been taken to Eket, Akwa Ibom State to reunite with their company.

The former IYC scribe noted that the oil workers were rescued along a creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

In an interview, the leader of the oil workers, Mujtaba Muhammad, said five gunmen forcefully whisked them away after disposing them of their valuables.

His words: "The gunmen kidnapped us from our ship, they stole our valuables such as money, electronics and other things .They came in one speed boat and asked us to enter their boat before taking us away till today, June 5, making us to spend 12 days in their hideout."

Muhammad further said that the kidnappers lamented the neglect of the ordinary people by the government and bad leadership.

National Mirror

[Folami David]

It's good the kindap victims are being released now but it would have been better if they were not kidnapped in the first place.