The 14 offshore workers of Nest Oil Company, who were abducted by gunmen between Omuoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) and Elele in Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State three weeks ago, have been freed.
Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), announced their release in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Omoni said the workers were rescued, following a gun battle with the police, adding that the 14 victims were rescued unhurt.
The police spokesman said the victims were admitted in a hospital for treatment.
The victims were reportedly abducted in a 14-seater company bus in which they were returning to Port Harcourt after a job at Omoku.
Their abductors were said to have demanded N100 million ransom from the company.
The police listed them as: Uche Obuh, Oliseh Onabrakpey, Bisong Jacob, John Ambrose, Elijah Walter and Onah Onyekachukwu.
Others are: Okoro Emmanuel, Oliver Onah, Collins Joseph, Ndifreke Elkannah, Raphael Odili, Babatunde Joseph, Unah Gregory and Double Chief, all men.
The statement said: “The police have again smashed the gang of kidnappers responsible for the abduction of 14 oil workers on September 2.
“The oil workers were rescued unhurt because of efforts of the command’s tactical units, which, at the early hours of September 18, engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle, which lasted one and a half hours, leading to the rescue of the victims. The hoodlums fled, abandoning their hostages.
“The last of the hostages, seven men, were rescued unhurt. This brought the number to 14. However, no ransom was paid. They have been debriefed and are receiving medical attention at a hospital. Investigation is on at the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
“Police Commissioner Francis M. Odesanya wishes to appeal to residents of the state to have confidence in his ability to reduce crime. He urged them to go about their lawful businesses without fear because the command has been repositioned and re-energised to battle perpetrators of heinous crimes.
“Appealing to the public to cooperate with the police in information sharing, the police chief pledged to track down the hoodlums and bring them to book.”