You are here: HomeNewsRegional2021 02 04Article 412999

Regional News of Thursday, 4 February 2021

Source: channelstv.com

Three Chinese kidnapped, police escort killed in Osun

Photo used to illustrate the story Photo used to illustrate the story

Unknown gunmen abducted three Chinese employees and killed their police escort after a dispute with local labourers at a gold-mining site in Osun State, police said Thursday.

The police spokeswoman for the state, Yemisi Opalola said the incident which happened at the Atakumosa area of Osun state on Monday was under investigation.

“The three Chinese nationals were abducted following a dispute with local labourers at the site,” Opalola said, adding that the police guard attached to the foreigners was killed in the incident.

Opalola could not immediately say if the labourers were responsible for the Chinese kidnapping, but added that an investigation had been launched, according to Channels TV.

“We have also deployed our operatives to the surrounding bushes with a view to securing the release of the Chinese.”

Chinese firms are working in Nigeria on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects that include mining, railways, airports, and roads.

Their workers have been repeatedly targeted by kidnap gangs for ransom money.

Last July, four Chinese workers were abducted from a quarry site in Cross River state while their police guard was killed. They were freed after a month in captivity.