http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/28322/42/

Kidnap of expatriates spreads to S-West
Written by Leke Adeseri
Monday, 09 February 2009
*Portuguese abducted in Ondo Stat

AKURE—THE ill wind of kidnappings and abductions that has dealt a big blow to the nation’s oil industry and stigmatised the Niger Delta region seems to be blowing westwards as gunmen numbering about 50, last weekend, invaded the site of a construction company and kidnapped a Portuguese national, Mr. Luis Jose Rentad, in Irele, Ondo State.

Mr. Rentad was with a construction firm, Picolo Construction Company operating in Ajagba in Irele council area of Ondo State. This will be the first time an expatriate will be abducted in the South-West.

Vanguard learnt that the armed youths reportedly invaded the area in five speed boats, abducted Rentad, an engineer, and sped away into the creeks without leaving any message.

Reports by workers who witnessed the invasion said the militants were armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons.

The engineer and others were working on a new road to link Irele town to Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government area when the incident happened.

As a result, fear has gripped other expatriates working across the state but reports have it that security operatives in the state have swung into action, after a security meeting called by the governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the kidnap, but assured that the expatriate would soon regain his freedom.

According to the Police image maker, Adeniran Aremu, “we are working round the clock to secure the release of the expatriate.”

Aremu added that the Command is making frantic efforts in conjunction with the chairman of Irele council, Chief Albert Akintoye, to ensure that Rentad is released by the abductors.

He assured other expatriates working in the state of their safety, noting that security efforts in the state have been redoubled to prevent a recurrence in any part of the state.

Sources at Picolo Construction said the kidnappers demanded a certain amount as ransom before the expatriate could be released, but declined to specify the ransom demanded.

Only last week in Port Harcourt, gunmen kidnapped the wife of former OPEC president and traditional ruler of Nembe kingdom, Dr Edmund Daukoru, as well as a commissioner in charge of works at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. Mrs Daukoru has since been released.

It would be recalled that last year some militant youths invaded the same Irele council area. They sacked the police station before carting away the ammunition in the station’s armoury.

THis is gradually becoming a national disease.

And the madness continues.

hope it doesnt spread to the north o.