Kidnapped Nigerian Oil Workers Rescued

Nigerian authorities have confirmed that they have rescued 15 Nigerian oil workers that were kidnapped at the beginning of the month.  

The workers, who all work for oil company Nestoil, were abducted on September the 2nd near Port Harcourt in the south by several gunmen.

According to Nnamdi Omoni, Police Deputy Superintendent, the police received tip offs and were working with intelligence to track the kidnappers and eventually attack their den to free the workers.

They also confirmed that operation started on Saturday and came to and end on Sunday evening when they were able to successfully rescue the workers.

The police ended up in a gun battle with the kidnappers.

They also confirmed that several of the kidnappers were injured by the gunfire, but that all of them had managed to escape. However, the police is still on the lookout for the kidnappers.

Before police infiltrated the kidnappers’ den, they had demanded ransom for the oil 15 workers.

According to police, the kidnappers demanded 100 million Naira – which equals to about US$322 600. They did not state whether or not the money was paid to the kidnappers.

Kidnappings of foreigners are commonplace in Nigeria and have increased significantly over the past year.