Troops Rescue 5 Expatriates Kidnapped in May
A joint team from Forward Operating Base Bonny, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder and troops of 146 Battalion, have rescued five expatriates, who were kidnapped five months ago, at the Iwofe Waterfront.
The foreigners, comprising three Russians, a Ukranian and one Equatorial Guinean, are presently at NNS Pathfinder medical centre, receiving medical attention.
The expatriates, onboard MT RIO MITONG and MT DJIBLOHO, were on May 9, 2020, abducted by unknown militants group, in Yellow Island.
Acting on credible intelligence, the Defence Media Operations (DMO), in a statement on Tuesday, said troops swiftly combed the creeks in search of the kidnapped victims.
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The troops, in a thorough search and rescue operation, raided four identified sea pirates/militants hideout at Ibiakafemo, Idinkiri, Tombie and Ogboma.
According to Maj. Gen. John Enenche, the identified camps were subsequently destroyed to deny the pirates freedom of action.
“Consequently, on the early hours of 6 October 2020, the pirates/militants compelled by the ongoing operation surrendered to the gallant troops and handed over the five kidnapped foreign expatriates at Iwofe Waterfront,” he said.
In a related development, Enenche, who is the Coordinator of DMO, further said the joint team intercepted two large wooden boats laden with an estimated 350,000 litres of suspected stolen illegally-refined AGO, and about 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
He added: “The stolen petroleum products have been recovered to the Base.”
