Oil workers rescued in Nigeria

ABUJA, July 27, 2017 – The Nigerian military has rescued the oil survey team kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram militants, an army spokesman said Wednesday.

”Suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the escort and team of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) staff returning from oil exploration. On receipt of the information, the brigade mobilised and sent reinforcement, [a] search and rescue party that include[d] the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night,” Brigadier General Sani Usman said. The bodies of nine soldiers, including one officer, and a civilian were also recovered during the operation, according to the statement.

“The troops are not relenting in the pursuit, search and rescue effort,” Usman added in the statement.

At least 10 members of a geological survey team had been kidnapped in Borno state, according to a NNPC statement Wednesday.

“About 10 members of the University of Maiduguri geology and surveying department were abducted by suspected Boko Haram members,” NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu told the press. “They were kidnapped around Jibi village in Borno state after a gun duel between the security agents accompanying them and suspected Boko Haram fighters.”

The university researchers had been contracted by NNPC to do survey work in the Lake Chad Basin, where the NNPC recently resumed exploration efforts after halting operations due to Boko Haram violence.

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