Koreans paid N30m ransom for kidnapped expatriates in Bayelsa
Korean owners of the Hyndai Heavy Industries paid
N30m to the kidnappers of four of their workers at the company in
Okpoama, Brass Local Government, Bayelsa State, it has been confirmed.
Eight gunmen on December 17, 2012 raided the firm and
kidnapped Jong Ken, Hi Kim, Doo Lee, Joon Chae and a Nigerian, Austin
Giwa.
The victims were, however, released four days later
at Azikoro Village in Yenagoa with the management of the company
claiming that no ransom was paid for their release.
However, our correspondent learnt that the company
paid some money to secure the release of the victims, who spent about
five days in the kidnappers’ den.
It was also contrary to the statements by the victims
that the kidnappers branded them “bad market” and set them free,
despite initially demanding N200m for their freedom.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Kingsley
Omire, confirmed in Yenagoa on Thursday that the firm paid the ransom to
the kidnappers but without consulting the police.
The CP said after arresting the suspects linked to
the incident, the police discovered that the firm had bowed to pressure
from the hoodlums and parted with N30m.
He said the police initially arrested Romeo Egbo, Goodnews Amabebe, Dito Ologbo and Digiteme Itua a.k.a Seko in connection with the crime.
Omire said, “On interrogation three of the suspects
voluntarily confessed to kidnapping the four Koreans and two Nigerians
on December 17. They also disclosed to us that one Digiteme Itua alias Seko is the leader of the kidnap gang.
“Itua was arrested in his Odioma house in Brass at
about 1.30am. One AK 47 rifle,60 rounds of ammunition, a telescope and
three magazines were recovered from his house.”
He, however, said Itua and Egbo tricked the police and escaped.
He also said the suspects escaped after telling the
police that they had concealed four AK47 rifles and several rounds of
ammunition at Ogboinbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government.
Omire also said the leader of the gang that kidnapped
the Paramount Ruler of Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government, King
Seiba Simeon, on August 25 had been arrested.
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