Lankan kidnapped in Nigeria released

The Sri Lankan engineer, D A Karunadasa, who was abducted in Nigeria for ransom, has been released by his abductors, Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera said.

The Sri Lankan High Commission in Abuja has notified the relatives of the kidnap victim here regarding the release.

He said it had been reported that a ransom had been demanded, however could not confirm whether it had been paid to secure the release.

Last week, Nigerian media reported that the kidnappers are demanding a huge ransom to release Karunadasa who was abducted during a brazen kidnapping operation at the boundary of Ondo and Kogi States on May 19.

The victim worked for an Italian-owned construction company and has lived in Nigeria for more than 10 years.

Mr. Karunadasa was on his way to a “construction deal” at the Kogi and Ondo boundary when he was abducted, according to SaharaReporters.

‎It was learnt that the police escort attached to Mr. Karunadasa’s vehicle was overpowered by the kidnappers in the process, and was immediately murdered by the assailants.

SaharaReporters correspondent gathered that the kidnappers have been demanding a huge ransom before he could be released, but officials could not confirm the amount.

The source further disclosed that the embassy has also reached out to the police in the two States of Ondo and Kogi to intervene for the quick release of the victim.