SHELL: Abductors Demand 1.2 Million British Pounds

PHOTO: SOME NIGER DELTA FIGHTERS.

Lagos Jan 15, (THEWILL) – Nigerian gunmen operating in the Niger Delta region who abducted three Britons and a Colombian on Friday made a ransom demand of 1.2 million British pounds (N300 million) for the release of their hostages according to the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Rita Abbey.

“The Kidnappers have asked for payment of N300 million naira before the men can be released,” she told the AFP.

Abbey also said that the kidnappers made the demand through a relative of one of their captives. She did not comment further on the matter.

Four contractors; John Bennet; Martin Phillip; Keyin Gray all British nationals and Fabien Sanchez, a Colombian, were abducted on Tuesday at gunpoint at Owaza Junction in Abia State on their way to work at Shell’s Afam VI power plant near Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Their police escort was killed in the incident.

The Rivers State Police Command has said it would pay N2 million naira for any information leading to their release.

Shell said the contractors abducted work for Netco Diestman, an engineering company firm with specialty in maintaining oil and gas production plants.

The incident is the first major abduction since the amnesty deal was reached between gunmen operating in the area and the federal government last summer.