Kidnapped Dutch Nationals: Gunmen Demand N20m Ransom For Foreigners’ Release, Free Two Nigerians

Two Nigerians regained freedom, while three Dutch nationals still remain in captivity at kidnapper’s den of unknown Niger Delta gunmen.

The group of five was kidnapped on in Letugbene, a boundary town between Delta and Bayelsa states, on May 4, 2014, Sunday, as they were returning from an alleged humanitarian mission, as they were returning from the meeting with the traditional ruler of Iduwuni Kingdom, King Joel Ibane. On that fateful day they also inspected a hospital built by US oil giant Chevron at Amatu.

An environmental and human rights activist Comrade Sunny Ofehe took his twitter in the morning of May 6, 2014, Tuesday, to announce release of himself and Mr Femi Soewe:

The released activist confirmed the gunmen told him they were doing it for money, they didn’t have jobs due to the oil companies who were not hiring locals.

“The armed men then threatened us to leave the Niger Delta region if we want to remain alive,” Ofehe stated.

It was not clear whether the ransom was paid for the release of Nigerian men. The unconfirmed sum of ransom amounted to N10million.

Meanwhile, three foreigners remain in the hands of kidnappers. They are Mr Yandries Groenendijk, Mr Erhard Leffers and Mrs Marianne Hendricks-Vox.

A source of Vanguard revealed that the kidnappers have reportedly demanded N20m ransom for their release.

It would be noted that employees of foreign oil companies are required to have an armed escort when travelling in the Delta, but international journalists, aid workers and others typically avoid taking a security detail. 

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