By Ovie Okpare
Three expatriates kidnapped by suspected sea pirates at Sigbene near Agge community along the creeks of Delta and Bayelsa States last week Thursday have regained freedom, NIGER DELTA TODAY authoritatively learnt.
It was learnt that many of the sea pirates involved in the abduction and killing of four naval ratings were killed during a joint rescue operation on Sunday.
Government sources from Delta and Bayelsa confirmed the development to our correspondent late Monday evening.
Our sources, however, pleaded not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to journalists on the incident.
Those rescued unhurt, according to our sources, are two Russians and one India national who were forcefully taken away by the arms-wielding hoodlums.
It was further gathered that the vessel, MV AMBIKA, believed to be working for international oil firm, had been recovered.
Several military sources also confirmed the rescuing of the expatriates under strict condition of anonymity.
“They were rescued yesterday (Sunday). Many of the sea pirates were killed during the process. The vessel has been seen as well”, one of the sources stated.
Additional findings by this medium revealed that both state governments (Delta and Bayelsa) and the military authorities reached agreement to keep mum on the issue before the report of the kidnapped of the victims leaked on Monday to the press.
“The incident actually happened at Sigbene near Agge. Both state governments have been collaborating with the military to ensure the rescue of the victims. An agreement was also reached between the trio to keep mum over the issue upon their release. This is a top security issue. They were rescued unhurt”, a top government source confided.
This medium had earlier reported that at least four naval ratings were shot dead while others injured by suspected sea pirates around the coastal communities ‘boundarying’ Bayelsa and Delta States.
The hoodlums also reportedly kidnapped three expatriates during an attack on a vessel conveying some expatriates.
The incident, reliable security sources told NIGER DELTA TODAY, happened at about 10pm on Thursday.
It was gathered that the deceased naval personnel are said to be drawn from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta.
They were said to be escorting the vessel carrying the kidnapped expatriates when they were ambushed by the armed pirates.
Meanwhile, tension has enveloped riverine creeks over the development as the military had launched manhunt for some of the fleeing hoodlums behind the attack.
It was gathered that many of the residents of the riverine communities of Bayelsa and Delta States particularly those in Burutu and Ekeremor LGAs have started fleeing their homes over fears that the military operatives could invade their communities in search of the sea pirates.
However, repeated efforts to get official response from the commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Real Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, were unsuccessful.
Repeated calls and SMSs to his telephone line were not answered nor replied as at the time of filing this report.
When also contacted, Navy Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun said he was not aware of the abduction and subsequent release of the victims.
Dahun, who however, directed this correspondent to contact the commander NNS Delta, said; “I am not aware of the incidents. Ask the commander in Delta (NNS Delta). I am not in Delta abi? I am in Abuja. Ask him (NNS Delta Commander). Call or send him a text. If he does reply, let me know.”
