Wike gives community leaders 72 hours to secure release of abducted expatriates

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has given a 72-hour ultimatum to chiefs and leaders in Andoni local government area of the state to ensure the immediate release of three kidnapped expatriates.

Simeon Nwakaudu, his special assistant on electronic media, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the expatriates, who until their kidnap worked for Raffoul Nigeria Limited, were involved in the construction of the Unity Road in Andoni council area.

The governor said failure to secure the release of the expatriates at the expiration of the ultimatum would attract consequences.

Wike also threatened to withdraw the “recognition of all government recognised chiefs” in the area “and cancel the Andoni aspect of the Unity Road” if the expatriates were not released.

“The same sanctions will be meted to other communities where chiefs and leaders allow project contractors to be kidnapped by youths,” Wike was quoted as saying.

He directed other communities to take measures to protect contractors and workers executing projects for them.

The governor had in May, withdrawn the certificate of recognition of Monday Noryaa, a first-class traditional ruler of Khana, Ogoniland following his “indictment in cult-related activities”.