4 July 2009
(Page 2 of 3)
No, we were all men. It is not a passenger vessel, it is a supply vessel. It is specifically designed for offshore operations in the oil industry. It is not a cargo vessel, it is not fishing vessel, it is not a tanker. This one is called supply vessel.
When you got to that turning point, how did the events unfold?
Well, when that particular statement was made and when the people looked at us and finally when they saw the people crying and the state of health of the Nigerians and all the rest, they just shook their heads, carried their guns and left. The people too that they sent were disappointed in Torrence. They said they should send their account details to Nigeria so that they could pay the money, the $300, 000 to the pirates so that we could be freed. So, the next day again we were discussing on phone and he said we were the ones delaying the whole process from our end.
From your own end?
Yes, because the account details had not been sent. I told them that where we were was far from Bosaso and the people had already gone to Bosaso and that it was on their getting there that they would send the details. After all you are the one that have been talking to them, not me. So, later the people confirmed that they had sent all the details.
Those emissaries?
Those two emissaries that came from Bosaso, and the engineer, at that point, said they would need some fuel if the boat would have to sail from Somalia to Djibouti, and then come to Nigeria. We didn't have the strength to come to Nigeria. So they needed about 20,000 dollars for fueling, food and some other things.
Because we had no food to eat, we were only eating rice. And a couple of days later, Torrence said that the company could afford the $20,000 that we should wait for them and we have waited till perhaps maybe when the kingdom of God comes. Up till now, we haven't seen that. Let me draw you back again: Sometime in November 2008, some fuel was sent on board and after we had taken the fuel ...
Sent by the pirates?
No, no, by the company. Some money was sent to buy fuel on board because they gave the impression that they wanted to pay the money at that time when it was $600,000. The negotiator for the pirates then told our MD that "if you know you don't have the ransom, there is no need buying the fuel because, at the end of the day, the pirates would use the whole fuel as they like enjoyment so much. They will use everything and the people cannot stop them from running the generators". He said he was ready to pay and when they brought the fuel, he never brought any money. Our MD stopped talking to us in December 2008.
From the second week of December, the MD stopped talking to us. So, for six months, he did not talk to us until we were released. Meanwhile, he had promised our families that we would be home before Christmas. So all expectations were dashed and that was the situation until May or June. From that point, it was only Terence that was speaking to us because he sold us a dummy that the MD was ill and could not talk to us. So we too believed that the man was ill.
The last time the MD spoke with you, what did he say?
The last time he spoke with me, which was the second week of December, he said he was ready to pay the money.
The $300,000?
No, the $600,000. The $300,000 came sometime this year. After his promise, I was begging him that, "look, for the sake of those who are very sick, I don't want anybody to die here, try and let us get out of this place." He said that he had the money already, that the money was with him and that how to deliver the money was his problem.
And I told him "but the people have told you how you would deliver the money. How else do you want this money to be delivered?" He said ok, either he would come with a flight or he would come with a fast craft but we would come to a certain position. So I told him I was ready to come. Even if they were not ready to release the ship, I was ready to go with them to wherever they would bring the money.
The MD told me "no, you don't have to risk your life" and I said, "look, my life is only 99 per cent. The only thing keeping me alive is the only 1 per cent. So forget about my life." He said you must realise that you have loved ones back home and then he began to speak in rhetoric and so many funny things like that. After that he switched off his phone.
Then Terrence told us one day that he was sending an agent and that the agent was coming through Mali. That agent is still coming from Mali up till today. We have not seen him.
When the MD spoke with you, what did he tell you just before you were released?
Just before we were released, I spoke with him and he said "don't worry. We are doing everything possible and that very soon, you will come home." That was his last word.
Now, with what has happened, what will be the next line of action?
We need to get back home first. It is too early for us to say anything. We need to get back home, see our families and put our houses in order first, because, like you know, every family is totally dislocated. But the next line of action, like I have said, is when we get back home; we need to sit down before we decide.
How long have you been in the employment of the company?
I was employed on the 9th of June, 2008. And today is 27th of June 2009. I was employed just two days or rather a day before I went for this disastrous journey. I was given my employment letter on the 9th June and I left Nigeria on the 10th and ever since I have not set my eyes on my family till this very moment that I am talking to you.
Since you came back, obviously you have been in contact with your family.
Of course, I was even talking to my wife this morning.
Were your salaries being paid to your wife?
Never, never, even when we were there, we were begging most of our friends to give our families money. So, I am sure that by the time I get home, I will be indebted. And I have to pay. This guy's wife (pointing at one of the crew members), where is Timothy? I learnt Timothy's wife was even molested; she was manhandled at the company's premises. She was beaten up. Sometimes, when the other women called, they will just warn them outright on the phone that they should never, never call the line. That has been the situation all along.
When you were under the captivity of these hostages, were you able to see how they treated other captains from other ships?
Our's was the only vessel there. I was in a secluded place. There is a particular town they called Hale, that is the headquarters of the pirates, that is what we were made to understand. That is where you have the bulk of the vessels. We were not there. We were in a secluded place. So I really could not see how those other people were treated. I was in a village called Abo.
A miracle happened on the 5th of June, 2009. What was that miracle?
You see, I woke up like any other morning, frustrated, devastated, but I always believed that God would rescue me one day. So I came down to the deck, the walking space. A few days before then, I saw the pirates carrying their heavy weapons out of the ship. And we were just generally discussing that, "look, God is in control."
Were you speaking English with them or which language?
We spoke English. They weren't speaking fluent English but we could understand. They were carrying those heavy weapons out of the ship and two rifles and a couple of rifles were left. And, after a few days, they removed one of the rifles again and we were left with just one rifle and one pirate.
So that particular pirate called me and said. 'Captain, you go, you go Nigeria'. That was the way he put it. And I said "how can I go to Nigeria? You are not the one to free me. You have bosses, unless your bosses say I should go, that is when I can go, you are just a field worker." He said "no don't worry".
Later, he called the engineer and said "go and work on your engine and see how your engine can start." Initially we thought it was a joke. So when he became serious and hostile, kind of, the engineer now went in and started the engine. And in the process, he was speaking to somebody on phone.
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