Four Kidnapped Thailand Men Released in Rivers

Four Thais held in an apparent ransom kidnapping in Rivers State have been freed unharmed, a spokesman for the kingdom’s foreign ministry in Bangkok said yesterday.

A gang of armed kidnappers seized the four Thais and two Nigerians on a waterway while they were on their way to work at a state-owned fish farm in the state a week ago.

“All of them are released,” ministry spokesman Manasvi Srisodapol said of the Thai nationals.

“The Thai Foreign Minister has talked with one of them. They are fine and will continue to work in Nigeria,” he added, without confirming whether a ransom was paid or the exact time of their release.

One of Thai hostages spoke to Thai television yesterday and said he believed the kidnap was linked to rivalry between competing fish farms.

“They took us as hostages and used us as a bargaining chip,” Somchoke Panpinij told Thailand’s Channel 7. “We will not return to Thailand yet… I came here to help them to develop their country.”