Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harcourt
Five oil workers have been abducted by a group of gunmen, who invaded an operation site of an indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gunmen had accosted their victims while they were working on an oil installation on a high sea before whisking them away in a speedboat.
A statement from the Public Relations Department of Belema Oil Producing Limited indicated that the oil workers were seized within OML 55 operational area of the oil firm in Akuku-Toru.
According to the statement, the oil workers, who are contractors to Belemaoil, are personnel of a subsidiary of the NNPC known as the Integrated Data Services Limited and a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation simply called BGP.
“Report says five oil workers have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen within the OML-55 operational area of an indigenous oil company Belemaoil Producing Limited in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“The oil workers are personnel of a subsidiary of the NNPC, Integrated Data Services Limited, IDSL and a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, BGP who are contractors of Belemaoil.
“They were working at a site of ongoing Seismic Operation by Belemaoil when they were abducted on Monday 13th May 2019. The report said the incident have been reported to the security agencies,” the statement read.
In his reaction, the Chairman, Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers King Kroma Eleki, decried the abduction of the oil workers.
The monarch described the ugly incident as detrimental to the growth of the area and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the oil workers.
King Eleki also expressed the need for improved security along the Kula waterways.
Also, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident and added that the police have begun a manhunt for the hoodlums behind the abduction of the oil workers.
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Promising that the victims will be released unhurt, Omoni, said, “We are aware of the incident. The State Commissioner of Police (Usman Belel) has ordered a serious manhunt to ensure that the victims are released unhurt and unconditionally.”
