Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Joint Taskforce operating in the Niger Delta region, Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, has confirmed the abduction of two expatriates working on an oil platform operated by the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, NDPR, in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Unknown gunmen had on the early hours of yesterday attacked and kidnapped two expatriates working with the indigenous oil firm, from the swampy terrain of Ogbele community in Abua, just two days after two staff of the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC was abducted on that same axis, along the Rumuji axis of East-West Federal High way.
Confirming the development, JTF Spokesperson, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi, said operatives of the JTF have been mobilized to comb the terrain with a view of rescuing the victims and apprehending the suspects.
Abdullahi explained that the JTF received information about the abduction by 8 am on Saturday, 27th April 2019, and had swung into action immediately.
He assured that efforts have been redoubled to curb kidnapping within that Orashi axis, while urging the management of Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, NDPR to provide security on their platforms.
“Our men and our resources were mobilized immediately to that area and they combed the nooks and crannies of the terrain but unfortunately, we didn’t find the kidnappers and those that were kidnapped.
“So we are still putting more effort in conjunction with other security agencies around that area so that we will apprehend the abductors and rescue the victims.
Also Read: Court adjourns Aiteo/OML 29 communities case to May 16
https://sweetcrudereports.com/2019/04/court-adjourns-aiteo-oml-29-communities-case-to-may-16/
“We are putting more measures in place to forestall this occurrence since they are becoming increasing, and we are redoubling our efforts around that zonal areas to forestall such occurrences.
“We advice the management of NPDR to provide security on their platforms because that was the loopholes the kidnappers used to come and abduct their workers.”
Similarly, the Rivers State Police Command has also confirmed the abduction of the two expatriates.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said, “Yes we are aware of the abduction, we have launched a manhunt to ensure that they (expatriates) are rescued in no time.”
