An operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and four contract staff at Conoil field in Bayelsa, kidnapped by suspected pirates have regained freedom.
The NSCDC operative and the oil workers were kidnapped on December 1, at Koluama, and N25 million was demanded for their release.
The spokesman of NSCDC, Bayelsa Command, Mr Solomon Ogbere, who confirmed the release of the kidnap victims, explained that their release was due to the combined efforts of the NSCDC and members of the Koluama community.
He said considerable pressure was exerted on the kidnappers which forced the abductors to free their captives.
“Our colleague and four others abducted are back and we are still on the trail of the hoodlums who perpetrated the dastardly act. We were supported by members of the community and sister security agencies.
“The Command has always built a cordial relationship with members of communities where our men are deployed, and this helped us in this situation.
“We are still on the trail of the criminals and remain optimistic that they will be soon apprehended to face the law,” Ogbere said.
The four contract staff are employees of a catering contractor to Conoil.
They were seized along with supplies for personnel at the Conoil location in Koluama 1.
Community youths in Southern Ijaw had raised a search party shortly after the abduction eight days ago.
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