Nyesom Wike gives Andoni Chiefs 72 hours to release kidnapped expatriates or..

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday gave a 72-hour ultimatum to chiefs and leaders in Andoni Local Government Area to ensure the immediate release of three kidnapped expatriates.

The governor’s directive is contained in a statement issued yesterday by his special assistant on electronic media, Simeon Nwakaudu.

According to the statement, the expatriates, who until their kidnap, worked for Raffoul Nigeria Limited, were involved in the construction of the Unity Road in Andoni local government area.

The governor warned that failure to secure the release of the expatriates at the expiration of the ultimatum would attract consequences from his administration.

Wike also threatened to formally withdraw the “recognition of all Government Recognised Chiefs” in the area “and cancel the Andoni aspect of the Unity Road” if the expatriates were not released.

He further directed that other communities must take measures to protect contractors and workers executing projects for them.“The same sanctions will be meted to other communities where chiefs and leaders allow project contractors to be kidnapped by youths,” he warned.

The expatriates were said to have been adopted by some youths of Andoni about a week ago while  they were working on the unity road project.

They have since been kept by their abductors despite efforts to free them.