Suspected pirates kidnap five oil workers in Rivers

Indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil has confirmed the kidnap of five oil workers on its platform in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The gunmen suspected to be sea pirates had accosted their victims working on an oil installation on a high sea before whisking them away in a speedboat to an unknown destination.

The Public Relations Department of Belema Oil Producing Limited in a statement said that the oil workers were seized within OML 55 operational area of the oil firm in Akuku-Toru.

The statement read, “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.”

Meanwhile, the Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers condemned the kidnap of five contract workers of Belemaoil and called for their immediate and unconditional release.

Chairman, Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers King Kroma Eleki in his reaction said the act is inimical to the development of the area and could cause social disorder in the area.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the Command has launched an operation to rescue the victims.