Three Australians and a New Zealander will be flown home as soon as
possible after their abduction ordeal in Nigeria, their Perth-based
employer says.
Two of three Australians who survived a five-day abduction
ordeal in Nigeria have been seriously injured, but all are safe and have
spoken with their families after being released overnight.
Their Perth-based employer, mining company Macmahon Holdings, said its seven workers are safe after gunmen shot dead their Nigerian driver Matthew Odok and kidnapped them last Wednesday.
The three Australians, a New Zealander, a South African and two Nigerians were snatched on the outskirts of the southern city of Calabar near the company's operations.
Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk said Nigerian authorities had helped the company recover the men, who were in a safe location after being through a traumatic experience.
"Unfortunately, five of them were injured during the incident," Mr van Dyk told reporters in Perth on Monday.
"Three of the men have wounds and two remain in a serious but stable condition. Two of the men have suspected rib injuries and they all are receiving specialist medical attention.
"Our priority now is to ensure that all of them are stabilised and ultimately given the all clear to travel."
The company hopes to fly the four ex-pats out of Nigeria as soon as possible.
Mr van Dyk won't reveal if it paid a ransom to secure the workers' release.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the Australian government was not part of any ransom deal that might have been struck.
"The company will have to answer for itself, but the Australian government certainly does not (pay ransoms)," she told 2GB Radio on Monday.
Mr van Dyk said all of the men had spoken with their families overnight.
"Their families have been through a very stressful and anxious time," he said.
"We will continue to provide them with all the support they need."
The family of one of the Australian men, Jack Couranz, said they were relieved at his release.
"We have spoken to Jack and he seems in very good spirits," they said in a statement.
"We are looking forward to having him home.
"We are extremely happy with the way Macmahon handled the situation and are grateful for the results that were achieved."
Mark Gabbedy's father Colin described his overwhelming relief and thanked Macmahon for its determination to secure his son's release.
"We are enormously grateful to them," he told the ABC.
Mr van Dyk offered condolences to Mr Odok's family.
Their Perth-based employer, mining company Macmahon Holdings, said its seven workers are safe after gunmen shot dead their Nigerian driver Matthew Odok and kidnapped them last Wednesday.
The three Australians, a New Zealander, a South African and two Nigerians were snatched on the outskirts of the southern city of Calabar near the company's operations.
Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk said Nigerian authorities had helped the company recover the men, who were in a safe location after being through a traumatic experience.
"Unfortunately, five of them were injured during the incident," Mr van Dyk told reporters in Perth on Monday.
"Three of the men have wounds and two remain in a serious but stable condition. Two of the men have suspected rib injuries and they all are receiving specialist medical attention.
"Our priority now is to ensure that all of them are stabilised and ultimately given the all clear to travel."
The company hopes to fly the four ex-pats out of Nigeria as soon as possible.
Mr van Dyk won't reveal if it paid a ransom to secure the workers' release.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the Australian government was not part of any ransom deal that might have been struck.
"The company will have to answer for itself, but the Australian government certainly does not (pay ransoms)," she told 2GB Radio on Monday.
Mr van Dyk said all of the men had spoken with their families overnight.
"Their families have been through a very stressful and anxious time," he said.
"We will continue to provide them with all the support they need."
The family of one of the Australian men, Jack Couranz, said they were relieved at his release.
"We have spoken to Jack and he seems in very good spirits," they said in a statement.
"We are looking forward to having him home.
"We are extremely happy with the way Macmahon handled the situation and are grateful for the results that were achieved."
Mark Gabbedy's father Colin described his overwhelming relief and thanked Macmahon for its determination to secure his son's release.
"We are enormously grateful to them," he told the ABC.
Mr van Dyk offered condolences to Mr Odok's family.
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