Francis sadhere
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, has rescued two foreigners held hostage by two other expatriates in Warri, Delta State.
The two kidnapped foreigners Mr. Radu, a Romanian and Mr. Sergets, a Latinos were rescued by the men of the Nigeria Navy at a hotel in Warri after they were held in captivity for almost two weeks.
Briefing newsmen in Warri, the Commanding Officer, NNS, Delta Commodore Musa Gemu while handing over the rescued foreigners to their lawyer, Barrister Nnandi Ukamba, said they will be handed over to their different foreign embassies.
According to Commodore Gemu the rescued foreigners were Captain and Chief Engineer of a vessel (MT EQUINOX) under Panama flag that is on a long lease contract with RINGADAS Oil Company that have their tank farm in Sapele, Delta State.
He said two representatives of MT EQUINOX, Canon Didier, (a German) and the company’s security manager, Mr. Henry Roussel, (a Belgian) connived together to kidnapped the two foreigners over a mere allegation of cargo shortage.
Commodore Gemu said: “However, the company representatives (Mr. Canon Didier – a German) and the Company Security Manager (Mr. Henry Roussel – a Belgian) lured the Captain and the Chief Engineer out of the vessel on Friday 19 December 2014 over a mere allegation of cargo shortage, kidnapped and held Mr. Radu and Mr. Sergets captive first at Sapele till late hour and relocated them to Warri at Broadwell Hotel till 27 December 2014 when NNS Delta patrol team went to rescue them from the hotel.
“More so, the mere allegation of shortage of cargo that was delivered to the company since 15 and 18 November was never reported to the relevant enforcement agent which is the Nigerian Navy that grant the company approval for the conveying and discharge of product.”
Commodore Gemu therefore, said that “the actions of Mr. Canon Didier and Mr. Henry Roussel, does not only violates the Nigerian Municipal laws of kidnapping and unlawful hostage taking but also violates the international Maritime laws and diplomatic laws with regard to a foreign vessel flying her domiciled flag with a foreign Captain to be removed from their vessel and held hostage without recourse to the laid down procedure.”
While saying that there was need to critically investigate the act of Mr. Didier and Mr. Roussel, he noted that their action was a clear indication that hostage taking was not peculiar to only Nigerians but that foreigners are also becoming lawless.
Commodore Gemu also revealed that one of the kidnappers, Mr. Didier has been arrested by the Nigerian Navy.
The two rescued foreigners thanked the Nigeria Navy for saving their lives from the hands of their abductors.
