Bristow/Texaco crew kidnapping
Yes there was.
A Bell212 (5N-ALS I believe) crew flying for Texaco/Warri was kidnapped off the Middleton Platform and held hostage in a local village.
Prior to landing the crew spoke to the Radio Operator (who controlled the area) on the Funiwa (Texaco Production Platform) about the fishing boats near the platform. They were told that they were all very friendly. After landing they were overrun & kidnapped.
The crew, a gentleman from the UK living in France & a Local First Officer (one of his first flights at Texaco) were held in the village for several weeks.
During their stay the Nigerian Military attempted to release them but were overwelmed by the kidnappers and chased almost naked out of the village. The kidnappers worn the military uniforms and used their weapons after this failed attempt.
The kidnappers allowed us to fly fresh water & some food to them every day or so but we were carefully watched as they held their newly acquired weapons!
We flew the local Governor and aids to the village to effect their release.
After several weeks the crew was taken by boat to the capital & released.
Weeks later they allowed us to pick up the aircraft. It was tied down with a rope to a wooden stake. The 212 started up immediately with no problems what so ever. Good old machine!
During the same period two Shell 212's & crew's were kidnapped and held hostage for several weeks also.
One, on the Shell Swamp Queen (swamp rig) with another gentleman from the UK and a local, both Captains. I'am sure one of our readers remembers this well!
The other was at the Shell Flow Station Opuama. This time the crew was a German gentleman and a local (both Captains). One day the kidnappers left them alone for several hours. The crew used the Flow Station telephone to call back to Shell Warri to send a helicopter immediately to rescue them. The person on the line told the crew since it was Sunday he could not distrub his superior (he was playing golf) and would relay the message on Monday and hung up!
Therefore the crew stayed longer than they should have.
Sometimes we wondered what was happening and who was in charge!
The Bristow/Texaco AS355 was on an authorized visit to a local village which started to turn sour. The Captain (a long time in Nigeria American) decided it best to leave immediately. On his arrivial at the Funiwa he noticed how all were waving at him during his approach.
Just at touchdown he saw a village boy run past him toward the stairs. The HLO told him afterwards that the village boy was hanging on the skids. It seems he wanted to prevent the helicopter from taking off, so he held on to it! The flight was about 10-15 minutes at 100 knots!
There was always action, never a dull moment!