Two foreign shipping experts working on-board a Panamanian vessel, MT Equinox, at a tank farm in Sapele, Delta State, have been rescued by the Nigerian Navy after being held hostage by fellow expatriates for almost two weeks at a hotel in Warri.
The victims, identified as Mr. Radu, a Romanian and Sergej, Latenian, Captain and Chief Engineer, respectively, were working on a lease contract for Ringadas Oil Company, operators of the Sapele tank farm when they were abducted.
Commodore Musa Gemu, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, who handed the victims to their respective embassies at the Warri naval base, accused one Didier, a German, and Roussel, Belgian, of masterminding the abduction.
Gemu said that Didier, company representative and Roussel, Security Manager at Ringadas Oil Company lured the MT Equinox’s Captain and Chief Engineer out of the vessel on December 19, 2014, over allegation of cargo shortage.
He said: “They kidnapped and held Radu and Sergej captive first at Sapele till late hour and relocated them to a hotel in Warri till December 27, 2014, where they were held for almost two weeks before NNS Delta patrol team went to rescue them.
“The mere allegation of shortage of cargo delivered to the company since November 15 and 28, 2014 was never reported to the Nigerian Navy that granted the company approval for the conveyance and discharge of product.”
Gemu said the action of the suspected abductors not only violates the Nigerian municipal laws of kidnapping and unlawful hostage taking, “it also violates the International Maritime Law and diplomatic law with regard to a foreign vessel flying her domicile flag with foreign Captain being removed from their vessel and held hostage without recourse to lay down procedures.
“The action of Didier and Roussel is a clear indication that hostage taking is not peculiar to Nigerians, rather foreigners in our midst are also becoming lawless. There is need, therefore, to critically investigate the acts of Didier and Roussel.”
Elated Radu and Sergej, the victims, joined by their lawyer, Nnamdi Ukamba, who received them on behalf of their company and respective embassies, expressed gratitude to men of NNS Delta for rescuing them. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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