Unknown Gunmen Release Three DPR Workers

 

Three employees of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) abducted by unknown gunmen in Bayelsa State have regained their freedom.

The Nation gathered that the gunmen collected ransom from the victim’s families before setting the employees’ free.

The victims were seized at Kalamatoru communit

y, Southern Ijaw local government area of the state by the hoodlums who whisked them away to an unknown place in the creeks.

The DPR workers were abducted on Saturday while inspecting oil installations in the area.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, said nobody reported the incident to the police.

Asinim said he knew nothing about the incident and denied report quoting him to have said the gunmen reduced their N400million ransom to N10million.

But a source from the Department of State Security (DSS) who spoke in confidence said the gunmen insisted on collecting ransom.

He said the family members initially raised N2.5million but were making efforts to increase the money to N3.5million.

“Ransom was paid before they were set free. They were later debriefed and released to their families. Kidnapping has become a booming business in the region and it will not stop as long as people keep paying ransom to bandits,” he said.