German, Belgian arrested in Warri for kidnapping colleagues

Two foreigners – Canon Didier, a German and Henry Roussel, a Belgian – have been detained at the naval base in Warri for allegedly masterminding the abduction of two of their colleagues.

Didier and Roussel, who are both staff of Ringadas Oil Company, were accused of collaborating with some unidentified people to kidnap the victims at a tank farm in Sapele, Delta state, on December 19.

Radu, a Romanian and Sergej, a Latenian (pictured, left), were on a lease contract with Ringadas when the incident happened.

According to the navy, their abductors allegedly lured them out of MT Equinox, a Panamanian vessel, where they worked as the captain and chief engineer, for them to be captured.

They were then taken to Broadwell Hotel in Warri, while arrangements to negotiate their freedom was going on.

But following a tip off, a naval patrol team stormed the hotel on December 27, to secure their release.

Briefing journalists after handing over the victims to their embassies, Musa Gemu, a commodore and commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, expressed surprise over the involvement of expatriates in such act.

“The action of Didier and Roussel are clear indication that hostage taking is not peculiar to Nigerians anymore; foreigners have also decided to become lawless,” he said.

“There is need, therefore, to critically investigate this shameful act.”

Gemu condemned the act and warned foreigners in the country to desist from criminal activities, saying the Nigerian military would not tolerate any form of lawlessness.

“Their action violates the Nigerian municipal laws of kidnapping and unlawful hostage taking.

“It also violates the International Maritime Law and Diplomatic law with regard to a foreign vessel flying her domicile flag with foreign Captain being removed from their vessel and held hostage without recourse to lay down procedures.

“We would not condone such, therefore perpetrators of criminal activities have been warned their own interest.”