The Minister of State for Petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu, on Thursday said he cannot confirm if any of the oil workers kidnapped by Boko Haram has been rescued.
Kachikwu made the claim while addressing journalists at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, headquarters in Abuja.
“We only heard, but can’t confirm if anyone has been rescued,” he said.
Recall that Boko Haram insurgents had laid ambush for the oil workers in Magumeri local government area of Borno state on Tuesday.
Nine soldiers and some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who were providing security for the oil workers were killed during the ambush.
Their abduction was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Cooperation, Ndu Ughamadu on Wednesday.
“They were kidnapped around Jibi village in Borno state after a gun duel between the security agents accompanying them and suspected Boko Haram fighters,” Ughamadu said.
Ughamadu confirmed that the NNPC had contracted the team to carry out research work on oil exploration activities taking place in the Lake Chad basin.
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