One killed as suspected militants abduct five expatriates in Calabar

Militants suspected to be kidnappers, struck in the early hours of Wednesday in Calabar, abducting five foreign nationals and a Nigerian.

Another Nigerian was also killed in the process.

According to reports, the incident happened around the Idundu bridge on the Calabar – Oran road around 6am.

The victims, employees of a construction company, MacMahon Construction Company, were on their way to work at the Mfamosing Plant of United Cement Company Nigeria Limited in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The company is said to be one of the major contracting firms to Lafarge Holcim, owners of UniCem.

According to reports, the workers, who were conveyed in four MacMahon vehicles, were escorted by a security pickup that had four armed policemen when they were attacked by the gunmen before the Idundu Bridge.

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However, the armed police escort team could not salvage the situation while the attack lasted.

One of the foreign nationals, identified as Tim Croot, an Australian citizen and the driver of one of the vehicles whose name was given as Henshaw, were able to escape.

Those kidnapped were identified as Jack Countentz (Australia); Mark Gabberdy (Australia); Peter Zoutenbier (Australia), Wayne Smith (South Africa), Jamal Khan (New Zealand), Austin Enok (Nigeria) and a driver simply identified as Howel (Nigeria).

Confirming the incident, the Communications Officer of Lafarge, Viola Graham-Douglas, in a statement, acknowledged that the kidnapped expatriates were MacMahon contractors.

Graham-Douglas said: “One of our contractors, MacMahon, has informed us that a security incident has occurred on the road from Calabar involving some of their employees. MacMahon is working with the security agencies to resolve the situation.”

Also, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, confirmed that the police was currently working with the Nigerian Navy to ensure that the victims were released unharmed.

“The police is aware of the matter. Five persons were kidnapped; they include two Australian, one South African and two Nigerians. The driver of the vehicle was shot dead. The police will ensure that the victims are released unharmed,” he said.

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