Port Harcourt News: Four expatriate oil workers freed

Oil workers regain freedom

Four oil workers who were kidnapped in Bonny Island of Rivers State early this month have regained freedom.

The oil workers, who were abducted aboard Jascon 33, a merchant vessel owned by Netherlands-based Sea Trucks Group, were released last night. 

Two naval ratings were killed and two others wounded when they tried to repel the August 4 attack that led to their abduction. 

However, Nation Evening Express reports that the Malaysian, Iranian Indonesian and Thai were received by STG official in the early hours of today, nearly three weeks after they were snatched on August 4. 

Associate Press report also quoted the company's spokeswoman, Corrie van Kessel of the Sea Trucks Group, as saying the men were in good health when they were released. She said the men received medical checkups after their release and were safe.

"It looks as if it's all OK," van Kessel said. "We've informed their families and the local consulates."

It also was unclear how the men were released. Van Kessel declined to say whether a ransom had been paid for their freedom. While kidnappings in the delta routinely involve violence, most hostages are released a few weeks later unharmed after their employers pay a ransom.