Police foil attempt to kidnap expatriates

The Bayelsa Police Command on Sunday in Yenagoa, said it warded off attempt by armed bandits to attack and abduct some expatriates residing in the state capital.

DSP Asinim Butswat, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that superior firepower of the police overwhelmed the kidnappers.

He said that assault rifle was recovered from the bandits, who fled the scene on arrival of policemen.

``On Saturday at about 23:50 hours, unknown gunmen attacked the Expatriates Quarters at Onopa and opened fire on security personnel on guard in an attempt to abduct the expatriates.

``The security operatives fired back and the gunmen withdrew, abandoning their assault rifle.

``They escaped through the waterways in a speedboat.

``Manhunt for the gunmen has been intensified and investigation is ongoing, "Butswat said.

NAN gathered that the expatriates were oil workers withdrawn from various oilfields shutdown due to attacks by the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

The figure showed that with the price of crude oil going for about 48 dollars per barrel, an estimated 6.72 million dollars daily is lost by the two operators to attacks on oil export pipelines in Bayelsa.