Hopes of early release of the five Chinese workers abducted last Friday by Niger Delta militants dimmed on Tuesday, as their captors remained adamant and unwilling to negotiate the release of the men with the government officials.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed to our correspondent that the irate militants were angered that their request for a ransom was made public.
The source said that as a result of the report, the captors had switched off their phones and were not ready to talk to anybody on the release of the workers.
It said, �Right now, we have been cut off by the militants and we cannot say when they would be willing to talk because of the various media reports that the militants were asking for a ransom.
�But we are trying our best to see what can be done to ensure that contact is re-established with the captors with a view to releasing the foreigners.�
Some local and foreign media had quoted the Chairman of Emuohua Local Government Area, Mr. Emeka Woke, as saying on Monday that he had established contacts with the militants and that they had demanded a ransom.
The chairman was also quoted as saying that he was trying to arrange a meeting with the kidnappers although their demand for money was not acceptable to him.
But Woke told our correspondent on the phone that efforts were still being made to establish contact with the kidnappers with a view to freeing the Chinese workers.
The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Owoye Azazi, had on Monday flown into Port Harcourt to help in securing freedom for the men but it was not clear as at press time if his efforts yielded any positive results.
Azazi however told journalists that he was in the state to meet with his commanders and discuss how best to carry out their duties in the light of the security situation in the Niger Delta.
A Chinese team is also said to be in the region with a view to securing the release of the men.