Operation Pulo Shield, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, says it has launched an operation to free three expatriate construction workers abducted by gunmen at a construction site yesterday.

An Indian and two Pakistani construction workers were abducted at Emakalakala in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The hostages were reportedly whisked away through the waterways in a speedboat after sporadic shooting to scare aware residents.

Col. Mustapha Anka, Spokesman of the JTF who confirmed the incident today in Yenagoa, said that efforts were underway to track the kidnappers and free the victims.

“A very intense search is on to locate and rescue them,” Anka said.

He disclosed that troops of the task force in the creeks were notified as soon as the report was received and expressed optimism that the hostages would soon regain their freedom.

Anka recalled that the JTF on November 24 freed a traditional ruler of Oporoma, a coastal settlement in Bayelsa, who was kidnapped in Ethiope East LGA of Delta on November 16.

•Photo shows JTF operatives on duty in a riverine area.