Unidentified gunmen yesterday set free a British citizen abducted while working for the Con Oil company at the oil facility located between the Azuzuama and Koluama communities of the Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
The British citizen, simply identified as Mark, was reportedly freed after series of negotiations initiated by some ex-freedom fighters in which a ransom of N7million- 15million was paid.
While sources close to the negotiations claim the kidnappers settled for N7million, security sources claimed his abductors received a N65million ransom.
A source who pleaded for anonymity added that some hired negotiators haggled extensively with the kidnappers on the ransom amount before a deal was struck. He said the kidnappers initially demanded N500million to set Mark, who was described as a high profile kidnap victim, free.
“The negotiators started with N15million but the kidnappers who apparently knew the hostage value of their victim refused the money. Serious negotiation commenced between the hired negotiators and the kidnappers until they agreed on N65million. The money was paid on Thursday and the Briton was released,” he said.
It was learnt that the Department of State Security (DSS) monitored the situation and the process that led to the freedom of Mark. A special armed team of DSS was said to have gone to pick Mark at Ogbeinbiri in Southern Ijaw LGA, where he was abandoned by the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, ex-freedom fighter and the national coordinator of the south-south region peace advocacy group, Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), Pastor Reuben Wilson has thrown more light on the role played by ex-militant leaders in the rescue of the 90 year old mother of Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
Source; http://leadership.ng/news/380473/kidnapped-british-oil-worker-released-bayelsa
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