Statements
Family thankful for hostage release
The family of Tasmanian Mark Gabbedy, who was one of three Australians kidnapped in a deadly attack in Nigeria, has expressed its overwhelming relief at his release.
Mark Gabbedy’s elderly father, who described the experience as unbelievably stressful, said he had since spoken to his son by phone after he was released physically uninjured late yesterday local time.
Mr Gabbedy praised his son’s employer, Perth-based mining company Macmahon Holdings, for negotiating the release and that of his son’s fellow workers, who included two other Australians and a New Zealander.
Mr Gabbedy senior said company representatives, who had been in constant contact with the family, had demonstrated remarkable compassion and a fierce determination to secure the release of the hostages.
“We are enormously grateful to them,” he said. “And I am sure Mark’s late mother has been watching over him.”
Mr Gabbedy, who lives in Tasmania’s north west, has asked the media to please respect the family’s need for privacy.
Jacquie Ray