‘How Construction Workers Regained Freedom’

The five construction workers who were kidnapped by gunmen in Bayelsa on Friday were released by their abductors on Tuesday in the creeks of Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area.

The five indigenous workers in a dredging firm were abducted on August 23 by gunmen in the creeks of Opuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. The kidnappers had demanded N30 million ransoms before their captives, would be released.

A source close to the company where the victims work, said the abducted workers were released on Monday after “negotiations and payment of ransom.

According to the source, the company had contacted some top ex-militant leaders in the area, who claimed that the kidnappers were youths from the neigbouring Lobia and Azuzuama communities.

The spokesman for the Police in Bayelsa, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the release of the workers.

“Yes, the five workers were released at about 7p.m. on Monday and dropped at Nembe community. No ransom was paid for their freedom,’’ Akhigbe said.