Five maritime workers and eight other Nigerians, who were recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the Nigerian high seas, have gained their freedom.
The release of the members of the Maritime Workersâ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the eight others, who were kidnapped on Monday in Rivers State, was facilitated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Their release on Saturday evening was sequel to mounted pressures by the Director General of the agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders.
As at press time, it was not immediately clear if ransom was paid before securing their release.
The DG of NIMASA personally broke the news of the abducteesâ release after a phone conversation with the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigerian (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju at about 8:15pm, Saturday.
The abductees are believed to be in good physical condition and the MWUN President General is expected to provide detailed report on the incidents surrounding the abduction later next week.
The eight persons who were abducted along with the maritime workers were traveling to Port Harcourt from Kula area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, before the gunmen abducted them at the Kula-Abonnema waterways.
BY: Alex Akao
