Kiwi hostage free but confusion over how

‘‘Our men have been through a traumatic experience, and we have mobilised medical and other support teams in Nigeria to provide immediate support.’’

Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk

A New Zealander and three Australians kidnapped in a deadly attack in Nigeria have been rescued, four days after being taken hostage by gunmen.

Kiwi Jamal Khan was one of seven men working for Perthbased mining company Macmahon Holdings, who were in a group ambushed by gunmen last Wednesday while driving on the outskirts of the city of Calabar.

On Sunday night (NZ time), all seven were freed, although the company and local police gave mixed accounts on how events unfolded. Macmahon also said five of the men were injured, two seriously, and were receiving attention from a medical team.

The company did not say whether Khan was injured.

Among the other six men were Australians Jack Countentz, Mark Gabberdy and Peter Zoutenbier, South African Wayne Smith, and two Nigerians, who local police had not named.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) confirmed the New Zealander and six others had been ‘‘released safely’’.

‘‘We are in close contact with the New Zealander’s next of kin who have been informed of the successful release.’’

The man’s family ‘‘strongly requested’’ their privacy be respected. Mfat would not comment further on the circumstances leading to the group’s release ‘‘or their current situation’’.

Earlier, Macmahon said the men were freed by their kidnappers – but that was at odds with local police and security forces, who said a rescue operation had taken place.

Cross River state police Assistant Superintendent Irene Ugho said security forces had rescued four men – Khan, Smith, one Australian and one Nigerian – but that all seven were now free.

It was not immediately clear how the other three made it to safety. ‘‘The success of the rescue exercise was due to the combined efforts of the security agencies and the support of the state government,’’ Ugho said, adding that no ransom was paid.

However, state security adviser Jude Ngaji said all seven were rescued by security forces. Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria but generally involves no fatalities.

Hostages are returned unharmed once money exchanges hands, though a German construction worker was killed in southwestern Nigeria late last year by gunmen who kidnapped a second German. He was later released.

Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk praised the men for the courage they displayed throughout the ordeal.

‘‘Our men have been through a traumatic experience, and we have mobilised medical and other support teams in Nigeria to provide immediate support,’’ he said.

‘‘I also thank the men’s families for working so closely with the company during what has been an extremely difficult time for them as well. They too have endured an incredibly stressful experience.’’

He said the families had been told of the release and had spoken to their loved ones.

A Nigerian driver was shot dead in the kidnapping attack. Another Australian managed to flee the attackers.

Local police and a state security adviser confirmed the men’s release, but many details were still unclear.

Cross River State Commissioner Jimoh Ozi-obeh said they were released ‘‘unhurt’’ on Sunday, despite Macmahon’s statement that five of the seven had injuries.

The state governor’s security adviser, Jude Ngaji, said five expatriates and two Nigerians had been released.

‘‘They are safe and sound,’’ he said, noting that a doctor had made medical checks and pronounced them ‘‘fit and sound’’.

Van Dyk praised the efforts of Nigerian authorities, saying they worked closely with the company.

‘‘We are very grateful for the professional support we have received from the authorities on the ground in Nigeria,’’ he said.

He also praised Australian, New Zealand and South African authorities and the company’s security advisers who supported Macmahon’s crisis management team.

‘‘This has been an incredible team effort and our highest priority now is to finish the job by continuing to work together to get our people back safely to their families and homes,’’ he said.