Gunmen Kidnapped 3 Dutch, 2 Nigerians

Facts have emerged how gunmen suspected to be Niger Delta militants seized members of a non-governmental organisation, NGO, Hope for Niger Delta Campaign.

The kidnapped members comprise three Dutch and two Nigerians, including The Netherlands- based Niger Delta activist, Sunny Ofehe. An eyewitness, one of the journalists who accompanied the team on a trip to Letugbene community, Bayelsa State, disclosed that the gunmen laid an ambush on the speed boats conveying members of the group immediately they were being bid farewell by the HRH Minna Omotete, the Ateri II, the Amananaweil of Bilabiri Kingdom. He said that about 10 gunmen shot at the crew members.

The names of the Dutch victims, our correspondent gathered, are Mr. Erhard Leffers (male), Marianne Hendricks- Vox (female) and Mr. Yandries Groenenedijk (male) while the two Nigerians missing are the Founder, Hope for Niger Delta Campaign, who also doubled as the Publisher, Inside Niger Delta magazine, Ofehe and owner of AfricaWeb TV also based in The Netherlands, Mr. Femi Soewu. According to the witness, the incident lasted for about 10 minutes as they were ordered to lie face down, while the militants chanted Ijaw war songs.

Narrating their ordeal, the journalist, who did not want his name mentioned, told National Mirror that one of the indigenes who jumped into the river for safety was still missing at the time of filing this report. He added he was still in trauma over the incident. “I can’t still believe what happened but it was scary. We were already returning when the gunmen attacked us.

They shot at us even from a far distance and some of the people in the boats jumped into the sea. They commanded us to lie face down during the period. Some of them militants covered their faces.

“The captives were in the communities to assess how they could improve the local hospital built by the communities and they were done with the visit when gunmen attacked us on the river.” It was gathered that the team was in Dodo River communities to ascertain how they could help in a self-built local hospital in the area to improve health care of the people.

The victims were received and conducted round the hospital by the monarch of Iduwini Kingdom, HRM King Joel Ibane ( Ogiobo IX) and members of the Dodo River communities. Meanwhile, Dodo river Communities have described the abduction of the three Dutch and two others as a slap on their people, promising that they would ensure that they were freed unhurt soon.

A community source told National Mirror that the three monarchs in the area had waded into the issue and were already making progress on how to free them. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. The Chairman, Dodo River Communities, Mr. Berry Negerese, said they were already making progress, but vowed they would get to the root of the matter. He could not, however, confirm if contact had been established with the abductors.