John Key: NZ won't pay ransom for Kiwi kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria

John Key says paying a ransom could put a bounty on the head of any Kiwi who travels to a dangerous part of the world.

Any demands for a ransom wouldn't be met by the New Zealand Government, John Key has said after armed men in Nigeria kidnapped a Kiwi.

The New Zealander was in a group of contractors for cement company Lafarge Africa who were snatched on the outskirts of the city of Calabar on Wednesday in an attack that left a local driver dead, police said. The others were from Australia and Nigeria.

Key said on Thursday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) had advised him of the kidnapping overnight and had also contacted the family of the kidnapped Kiwi, who live in New Zealand.

GEORGE HEARD/FAIRFAX NZ


John Key said New Zealand doesn't pay ransom demands.


"We know the name of the individual and next of kin, who have been made aware of the situation but for obvious reasons we won't be naming the individual in question.






The workers were taken from the city of Calabar, in southern Nigeria.


"Our very strong policy is not to pay a ransom and our reason for that is we think if we paid a ransom, we'd potentially put a bounty on any New Zealander's head who travels to a dangerous part of the world, and it potentially makes the situation worse," he said.

According to Irene Ugbo, a spokeswoman for Cross River state police, two of the people kidnapped managed to flee.

Police commissioner Jimoh Ozi-Obeh told reporters they were working with the Nigerian Navy to rescue the group but no ransom demand had been received.

Key said neither the family of the Kiwi or MFAT had been contacted by the kidnappers at this point.



"We don't know the details of exactly what the motivation is but it's not unusual in that part of the world for the motivation to be ransom, and therefore to be looking to extract money in return for the New Zealander in question and others involved," he said.

It hadn't been ruled out that the kidnappers had any terrorist links, Key said.

In an "ideal world" he said there would be less reporting of the situation so as to not "encourage the kidnappers".

"The reality is it's been reported in the international media so we're not asking you not to report, we're just asking you to be as cautious as possible," Key told reporters.

According to local Nigerian media reports, about 30 militants ambushed the vehicle near the Idundun Bridge crossing over a river. After the attack, the kidnappers fled with the hostages aboard their boat hidden under the bridge.

A witness told local media organisation Vanguard that those kidnapped were travelling in a convoy of four vehicles when the militants opened fire on them.

"They ambushed them and killed [the driver] on the spot. One of the expatriates hid under the vehicle and they didn't see him because it was still a bit dark," the unnamed witness said.

"They also took one of the drivers ... then one supervisor and three white guys and it was like they had a boat by the beach already waiting for them."

A spokesperson for MFAT confirmed that a New Zealand citizen had been kidnapped.

"The Ministry continues to seek further information on the situation and is also in contact with Australian authorities and the mining company."

MFAT was in contact with the Kiwi's next of kin but refused to comment further.

New Zealand's Safe Travel website said there was a high risk of kidnapping in Nigeria, especially for foreign workers.

"Expatriate workers at oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta states are at particular risk of kidnapping, which is typically financially motivated."

The Cross River state where the kidnapping took place is within the eastern Niger Delta.

"New Zealanders working in the Niger Delta states against our advice are advised to seek professional security advice and ensure appropriate personal security measures are in place at all times."

University of Auckland conflict expert Chris Wilson said kidnappings like this were fairly common in areas with terrorist groups, but he couldn't remember an incident where a Kiwi was involved.

"It's a good way of making money for a lot of these groups. The financial side is the most important, but also there is status to be gained - quite often in these areas there will be several groups competing," Wilson said.

He didn't foresee the New Zealand government paying a ransom, following international norms.

Lafarge Africa said it had been informed of the incident by Australian contractor Macmahon.

"Macmahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation," said Viola Graham-Douglas, a spokeswoman for Lafarge Africa. Macmahon could not be reached for comment.

According to its website, Macmahon has a seven-year contract for quarrying operations at United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited's cement manufacturing plant in Mfamosing, near Calabar.