Kidnappers of three Dutch nationals have demanded N500m as ransom before their hostages can be freed.
The abducted Dutch nationals have been identified as Mr. Erhard Leffers, Mrs. Marianne Vos and Mr. Jan Andre Groenendijk.
It was learnt that the demand for ransom was the first time the kidnappers were opening communication with their victims’ families and organisation.
A security source, who craved anonymity, said the kidnappers had insisted that without the N500m, their hostages would not regain their freedom.
Not ready to pay any ransom, the Bayelsa State Government and the police had on Wednesday launched a massive rescue operation to secure the release of the three abducted Dutch.
The three Dutch were kidnapped along the creeks of Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
The rescue operation, which was to be managed by a special security team of Ijaw Youths Council and policemen, is expected to deploy necessary intelligence gathering among indigene of coastal communities in Delta and Bayelsa states.
Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hillary Okpara, while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa on Wednesday evening, did not say anything about ransom.
He also denied the reported arrest of the two Nigerian born Dutch nationals, Mr. Femi Soewu and Mr. Sunny Ofehe.
He said they were invited by the police for an interview to get more information about the mood and utterances of the kidnappers.
Okpara said four persons were invited by the police for interrogation including the organizer of the ill-fated trip and founder of an indigenous organization known as Dodo Rovers Regional Development Association, Barry Legrise, and an indigene of Letugbene, Chief Barson Dodoru.
Okpara said out of the four persons invited, Soewu and Ofehe were released alongside Legrise.
However, 42-year-old Dodoru, from Letugbene community had yet to be released due to the role he played, the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Bernard Kenebai (retd.) condemned the abduction of the Dutch nationals, describing it as unfortunate.
He said though the decision of the organizer of the ill-fated trip and the Dutch nationals not to inform the security agencies was wrong and irresponsible,the government in partnership with security agencies would secure their release. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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