South African miners kidnapped Kaduna, Nigeria

ABUJA – NIGERIAN police have rescued two South African nationals kidnapped north of the country recently.

The two males Thomas Arnold Pearce and Hendrik Gideon Smith were kidnapped at a mining site in Maidaro Village, Kaduna State last Tuesday.

They have been rescued after joint operations that lasted several hours in a forest in the state.

The forest in Birnin Gwari area is feared as a stronghold for kidnappers.

Pearce and Smith have been handed over to the South African High Commission in Nigeria.

“Investigations are ongoing and efforts intensified by the Joint Police Teams who are still in the forest to arrest the kidnappers that carried out the crime,” said Jimoh Moshhod, Force Public Relations Officer.

“The Force will not relent in its renewed effort to rid the country of all forms of crimes and criminality and ensure adequate protection, security and safety of lives and properties of all Nigerians and other nationals throughout the country.”

Kidnap gangs are terrorising Nigeria, which is also beset by the Boko Haram militancy.

– CAJ News