Chevron PENGASSAN chair, 2 others kidnapped

By Emma Arubi
WARRI— Mr. Udokwe Samuel, Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Chevron Nigeria Ltd branch; Mr. Boyi Joseph and a lady, Precilia Idane, were abducted, Monday night, by unknown gunmen in Warri, Delta State.

While the lady was released, Tuesday, after parting with an undisclosed amount of money as ransom, the whereabout of Boyi and Mr. Udokwe is still unknown. It was gathered that the kidnappers later dropped their ransom from N20 million to N5 million.

Staff of Chevron refused to comment on the kidnap, but said they would get security agencies involved in their quest to secure the release of their colleagues.

Vanguard learnt that the PENGASSAN Chairman was billed to hold a meeting with his exco and management, Tuesday, before he was abducted. The abductors, it was learnt, had communicated with his Pastor and relations demanding for ransom.

Sources told Vanguard that when his pastor told the kidnappers that they can only raise N100,000 from members of the Church, they got angry and threatened to kill Udokwe.

Meanwhile, other PENGASSAN staff of Chevron, it was learnt, had contacted Abuja to explore ways and means of securing the safe release of their chairman.

Idane Precillia was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Warri.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed the incident to Vanguard.