Troops Rescue Expatriates In Rivers — After Five Months In Militants’ Captivity

Five foreigners comprising three Russians, one Ukranian and one Equatorial Guinean, who were abducted on May 9, 2020 by pirates in Yellow Island have been rescued by troops.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major-General John Enenche, in a statement, disclosed that the victims who were freed after troops raided the hideouts of the pirates in the creek, are receiving medical attention at the NNS Pathfinder medical centre.

Enenche said that upon receipt of credible intelligence on the abduction, a joint team of naval operatives and troops of 146 Battalion combed the creeks in search of the kidnapped victims.

He said their effort yielded fruit, leading to the destruction of camps used by pirates.

Enenche said the pirates were forced to hand over the five foreigners to the troops on Tuesday at Iwofe Waterfront.

According to the military, the expatriates — three Russians, one Ukranian and one Equatorial Guinean — are presently at the NNS Pathfinder medical centre in Port Harcourt receiving attention.

The military said the joint team of troops also intercepted two large wooden boats loaded with an estimated 350,000 litres of suspected stolen illegally-refined automative gas oil (AGO), and about 10,000 litres of crude oil.

The stolen petroleum products, the military added, have been moved to the base.