TheCable

The Nigerian Navy says it has rescued four Chinese men from kidnappers in the Igbokoda area of Ondo state.

Sylvanus Abbah, flag officer commanding (FOC), western naval command, disclosed this to journalists in Lagos on Thursday.

He said the four victims were abducted on board a fishing trawler within the Lagos waters on December 14.

According to him, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT rescued the abducted Chinese nationals from a militant camp in the riverine area.

He said after the abduction, the kidnappers took their victims in a speedboat to Igbokoda.

“Naval operatives attached to forward operations base (FOB) who sighted the kidnappers as they were entering Igbokoda gave them a hot pursuit,” he said.

“The kidnappers opened fire on the naval gunboat.

“There was a fierce gun battle between the suspects and the naval men and the hoodlums abandoned their boats and fled on foot through the creeks.

“Presently efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

“The Chinese sustained bullet wounds during the gun battle and they have been treated and are in stable condition.”

Meanwhile, Guan Zhonggi, acting Chinese consul general in Nigeria who paid a thank you visit to the FOC, commended the navy for its prompt intervention.