Johannesburg — SOUTH African sound engineer Nick Greyling, who was kidnapped in Nigeria with two colleagues last Monday, would return to Johannesburg today, MultiChoice spokeswoman Caroline Creasy said yesterday.

Greyling was released on Monday evening and his colleague, Nigerian soccer commentator Bowie Attamah, was released last Friday, Creasy said.

"Greyling is expected to return to Johannesburg because that is where his family is," said Creasy.

"The third hostage, Alexander Effiong (a Nigerian cameraman), escaped from his captors on Tuesday March 2 and Jolias Layefa, who was shot in the leg during the hostage taking incident, is recovering in hospital."

Gunmen snatched three M-Net SuperSport crew members after ambushing a bus travelling to the airport in Owerri, capital of Imo State. The crew were returning from covering a Nigeria League game.

It is rumoured a ransom was paid for Greyling, but neither MultiChoice nor South African foreign affairs officials would confirm it.

Creasy said the release of the three was the result of negotiations by the Nigerian authorities.