Police rescues 14 abducted oil workers

A Nigerian policeman

The Rivers Police Command said it has rescued 14 oil workers abducted by unknown gunmen on Sept. 2 along Elele-Omoku road.

The command`s spokesman, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, a DSP, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the workers were freed in the early hours of Sunday.

Omoni said the Command`s Tactical Units, engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, which lasted for one and half hours, to rescue the victims.

“The Oil Workers were rescued unhurt due largely to the efforts of the Command’s Tactical Units, who, at the early hours of Sept. 18,engaged the hoodlums, in a fierce gun battle which lasted for one and half hours, leading to the rescue of the victims.

“The hoodlums took to flight abandoning their hostages. Efforts are on to arrest and bring them to justice,” he said.

Omoni said no ransom was paid to rescue the workers.

“They have been debriefed and are receiving medical attention in the hospital.

“Investigation is on-going at the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit,” he said.

Omoni said that the police was determined to fight all forms of criminality and crime in the state.

He appealed to residents to give the police useful information that would assist it achieve set objectives.