Youths Give Ultimatum To Kidnappers of Thai Nationals, Nigerian In Rivers State

Rotimi-AmaechiYouths of Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday gave the abductors of four Thai nationals and two Nigerians 24-hours to free their captives or risk confrontation.

It would be recalled that the four expatriates, who are engaged by the Rivers State Government to work in its Fish farm in Asari-Toru, alongside two of their Nigerian counterparts, were kidnapped on Friday morning by unknown gunmen on their way to work. It was learnt that one of the Nigerian workers among them in a bid to escape, drowned in the creeks.

However, the youths under the aegis of Buguma Youth Council, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by its national president, Robinsion Ibinagbo, threatened to storm the area upon the expiration of the ultimatum if the workers are not released.

Ibinagbo argued that the abduction of expatriates working in their community was a setback to the development of the area, as it is capable of scaring away investors.

“We, the youths of Buguma condemn in its entirety the kidnapping of four expatriates and two Nigerians by yet to be identified gunmen. It is regrettable that such incident should occur in our community. We are giving the kidnappers a 24-hour ultimatum to release the captives or incur our wrath. We will all move down to the creeks and get them out, we know those behind this criminal act and we will get them,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command says efforts are underway to secure their release even though the kidnappers have not established contact yet with anybody to state their demands.