Nigeria: Two kidnapped Germans freed

Two Germans archaeologists who were kidnapped in Central Nigeria on Wednesday, have been released unharmed, the police said.

Archaeologists, professor peter Breunig and Johannes Behringe were freed on Saturday evening near the city of Kaduna.

According to the police, both were working about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of kaduna, studying the ancient Nok culture, when they were attacked.

“We are expecting an official statement from Force Headquarters , Abuja with details of their release. Investigations are very much on, and we believe we will get them (the kidnappers,” a senior officer knowledgeable about the investigations said in Abuja.

They were kidnapped on Wednesday in Jenjela village, Kagarko emirate of Kagargo Local Government Area of Kaduna State near the road that is expected to run between the capital, Abuja and its temporary airport from next month.

Two local people who tried to help them were killed in the process.

The kidnappers had demanded N600 million as ransom, while the police deployed special forces and aerial surveillance to secure their release.

Abuja’s main airport will be closed for repairs for six weeks from march 8, with flight rerouted to the city of Kaduna some 100 miles to the north.

Two Kidnapped Germans Regain Freedom. https://t.co/xw5TLisOg6 pic.twitter.com/v61pxMojvP

— Channels Television (@channelstv) February 26, 2017

Nigeria’s government had hoped international carriers would use Kaduna during the main airport closure, but many have said they will not fly there as an alternative.