Five oil workers abducted in Rivers

Five oil workers have been abducted by a group of gunmen, who invaded the Oil Mining Lease (OML) -55 operated by an indigenous oil company, Belemaoil Producing Limited, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers.

The Rivers state police command confirmed this development, stating that all hands were on deck to ensure the unconditional release of the workers.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said that gunboats had been deployed to trail the abductors, while assuring that the victims would be released unhurt.

“Yes, I can confirm that five seismic workers were kidnapped two days ago. We have intensified efforts to ensure their release and gunboats have been deployed.

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“We are working with other sister agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure they are released within record time,” the police said.

A statement from the Public Relations Department of Belema Oil Producing Limited disclosed that the oil workers, who are contractors to Belemaoil, are personnel of a subsidiary of the NNPC known as the Integrated Data Services Limited and a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation simply called BGP.

“Report says five oil workers have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen within the OML-55 operational area of an indigenous oil company Belemaoil Producing Limited in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“The oil workers are personnel of a subsidiary of the NNPC, Integrated Data Services Limited, IDSL and a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, BGP who are contractors of Belemaoil.

“They were working at a site of ongoing Seismic Operation by Belemaoil when they were abducted on Monday 13th May 2019. The report said the incident have been reported to the security agencies,” the statement read.

Chairman, Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, King Kroma Eleki, decried the abduction of the oil workers.

He described the ugly incident as detrimental to the growth of the area and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the oil workers.

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