The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta today revealed that its operatives had freed a French sailor kidnapped on June 13 in the Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa State. The 28-year old sailor, Benjamin Élan, was among 15 missing crewmen of a tanker, MT Adour, which was attacked by suspected pirates on June 13 thirty nautical miles off Lome, the capital of the West African nation of Togo. Earlier today, JTF commander, Major General Bata Dembiro, handed over Mr. Élan to Markson Fefegha, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information. The handover, which was witnessed by reporters, took place in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. “The rescue of the French national was made possible by the combined efforts of youths from Bomadi and Ekeremor local government areas,” said the officer. He added: “The rescued foreign ship worker was abducted in Togo aboard an oil tanker and brought to Bayelsa State by suspected kidnappers.” The JTF commander stated that the new collaboration between the security agencies in the state and youths in the oil bearing communities would reduce the incidents of sea piracy and kidnapping in the Niger Delta region. The tanker had just discharged its cargo at the port in Togo when it was attacked by pirates who took control of the ship and diverted it to Nigeria. The chemical tanker is registered in Marseille, France and is owned and operated by the French company, Sea Tankers Shipping. Speaking briefly about his experiences at the hands of his abductors, the rescued sailor said the kidnappers were not violent, but that they kept him hidden for more than six days, feeding him bread and water. In his own comments, the Bayelsa Commissioner of Information commended the officers of the Joint Task Force for their recent proactive efforts at stamping out criminality and theft along the waterways and creeks of Bayelsa State. “The noticeable peace along the waters of Bayelsa and the recorded arrest of criminals, including the killers of 11 policemen, is wonderful and commendable,” Mr. Fefegha said
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:15:13 +0000
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