Kidnapped Australians Among Miners Freed In Nigeria
MEP: Thee Australian among seven mine workers kidnapped in a deadly attack in Nigeria have been released after a five-day abduction ordeal.
The men, who work for Perth-based mining company Macmahon Holdings, were in a group driving on the outskirts of the city of Calabar when they were attacked by gunmen on Wednesday. The gunmen killed their driver in the spot.
Five of the men are injured, two of them seriously, the company said.
Kidnap-for-ransom is a longstanding issue in southern Nigeria, where gangs target expatriate workers.
“The families have all been informed of the successful release of the men and have had the opportunity to speak to their loved ones,” Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk said.
Macmahon won’t reveal if it paid a ransom to secure the workers’ release.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the Australian government was not part of any ransom deal that might have been struck.
“The company will have to answer for itself, but the Australian government certainly does not pay ransoms,” she told 2GB Radio on Monday.
Nigerian police have told local media they freed the men.
