EIGHT HOSTAGES: Militant Group Demands $1.3M For Their Release
2 min read
by Our Correspondent
A militant group is demanding a ransom of $1.3 million in exchange for the release of eight hostages held in the Gulf of Guinea.
The group initially demanded a sum of 800 million Naira – more than $2m, though later accepted 500 million naira, approximately $1.3 million, after much negotiation.
The group , known as the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers are believed to be behind the kidnapping.
The cargo ship, Milano 1 was hijacked last Thursday morning with ten (10) crew members on board.
The vessel, registered in St Kitts but operated by a Lebanese firm, had been contracted by a Nigerian company to transport glass between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The ship was released, with only two crew members freed. Three Lebanese, one of them the ship’s captain, and two Egyptians are among the eight hostages left.
According to the Lebanon’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Houssam Diab, “The hostage takers are now in direct contact and negotiating with the businessman who had hired the ship.
“This was not a kidnapping with the intention to kill, it was with the intention of getting a ransom.”
He further said that; “Authorities are unsure if they are still being held at sea or ashore”.
The owner of the ship, Ahmad Al Kut, said that he had received a number of untraceable calls from the pirates to open negotiations.
“Let the Lebanese State buy my ship and pay the ransom for the three Lebanese sailors, and I do not want a penny, nor do I want to recover my ship,” he said.
