TWO SOUTH KOREANS ABDUCTED IN NIGERIA REGAIN FREEDOM
Two South Koreans have been released after being abducted nearly three weeks ago by an unidentified armed group in Nigeria, the foreign ministry in Seoul said Saturday.
Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria and foreign workers have been targeted in the past by criminal gangs, especially those working in remote mining or construction projects.
The two Koreans, who were abducted in southern Nigeria on December 12, are employees of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., a major South Korean builder, according to Seoulās Yonhap news agency.
South Korean authorities secured their custody on Friday, Seoulās foreign ministry said, further stating that they are in good health.
The men āhave been moved to a safe area after a medical examination, and have spoken to their familiesā via phone, the ministry said in a statement sent to AFP.
The foreign ministry said their release was secured thanks to āclose cooperationā between the government in Seoul and the company, and through ācollaborationā with the Nigerian military, police and intelligence authorities.
It did not state if any ransom was paid.
During the abduction incident, members of the armed group killed four bodyguards, who are Nigerian soldiers, as well as two local drivers, Seoul said in the statement.
The South Korean government vowed to ācontinue to review the measures for the protectionā of its nationals in Nigeria.
Seoul will āactively engage with relevant government agencies, businesses and overseas Koreans to prevent kidnapping incidents,ā it added.
Several Asian companies including from China and South Korea operate in Nigeria and are often involved with the countryās road and railway construction projects.
It was gathered that gunmen ambushed a convoy of Daewoo workers along the Ahoada/Abua East-West axis in Rivers State.
The gunmen shot four soldiers, and two drivers dead while they reportedly kidnapped two expatriates of the company on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around 9.30 a.m.
Our correspondent gathered that the victims were on their way to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital when they were ambushed.
AFP