JTF rescues ex-Chevron staff from kidnappers’ den

A retired staff of oil giant, Chevron, Mr Austine Eyen, who was abducted by kidnappers in Sapele, Delta State, was on Tuesday, rescued by men of the Nigeria Army, Koko Barracks, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, in conjunction with the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Sector 1.

Three suspects were arrested in Sapele, while on May 13, soldiers attached to Adeje community in Okpe Local Government Area of the state also arrested six other suspects in connection with the kidnap.

The suspects were paraded in Sapele before journalists at the Koko barracks.

The Commanding Officer of Nigeria Army, Koko Barracks, who led the operations, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Etim, said prior to the arrest, the suspects were tracked in a forest in Oviri-Court, where the hoodlums exchanged fire with the troops leading to their arrest and the recovery of a weapon, and that the arrested persons thereafter provided the lead for the arrest of others.

The three suspects arrested in Sapele, Pius Festus, Great Obiebi and Macus Gold, who confessed to committing the crime, however, blamed the devil.

They also confessed of having two bosses, whose names they simply gave as Bright and Peace.