THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The two Germans kidnapped by unknown persons in the northern state of Kaduna last week have been released.
The two archaeologists, Professor Peter Breunig, and his colleague, Johannes Buringer, were freed on Saturday night, according to Nigeria’s online daily PREMIUM TIMES.
“Yes, they were released last night (Saturday) by their kidnappers. No ransom was paid,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying.
“We are expecting an official statement from Force Headquarters, Abuja with details of their release.”
Officials at the police headquarters in Abuja were also reported to have also confirmed the release, saying investigations were ongoing to arrest the kidnappers.
“Investigations are very much on, and we believe we will get them (the kidnappers),” a senior officer knowledgeable about the investigations was quoted as saying in Abuja.
The archaeologists were working in Jenjela village, Kagarko Local Government of Kaduna State (about 150 kilometers south of Kaduna city), studying the ancient Nok culture, when they were seized last Wednesday. Two Nigerians who tried to defend them were shot dead.
The kidnappers later demanded N60 million (about 180,000 euros) as ransom last Thursday.
However, it’s unclear if any ransom was paid to free the two men.
Kola Tella
