Troops of Operation Delta Safe have rescued five foreign expatriates that were kidnapped in Yellow Island, Rivers State.
The foreigners comprising three Russians, one Ukrainian and one Equatorial Guinean, were abducted on May 9 by suspected pirates.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, the rescue followed credible intelligence prompting a joint team of the Forward Operating Base Bonny, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, and troops of 146 Battalion to swiftly comb the creeks in search of the kidnapped victims.
“After a thorough search and rescue operation, the gallant troops raided 4 identified sea pirates/militants’ hideout at Ibiakafemo, Idinkiri, Tombie and Ogboma.
“The identified camps were subsequently destroyed to deny the pirates freedom of action. Consequently, on the early hours of 6 October 2020, the pirates/militants compelled by the ongoing operation surrendered to the gallant troops and handed over the 5 kidnapped foreign expatriates at Iwofe Waterfront.
“The 5 expatriates comprising 3 Russians, one Ukrainian and one Equatorial Guinean are presently at NNS PATHFINDER medical centre receiving medical attention,” the statement partly read.
The joint team also “intercepted two large wooden boats laden with an estimated 350,000 litres of suspected stolen illegally refined AGO and about 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil.”
