Tasmanian Mark Gabbedy released by Nigerian gunmen

Mark Gabbedy was one of seven people taken hostage when a gang of 30 gunmen ambushed a vehicle on the outskirts of Calabar in Nigeria’s Cross River State about 5.30am last Wednesday.

The gunmen shot the driver of the vehicle, Matthew Odok, dead.

The incident unfolded near the Idundun Bridge crossing over a river, local media reported.

After the attack, the kidnappers fled with the hostages aboard a boat that was hidden under the bridge.

Mr Gabbedy, a former Launceston Church Grammar School, was taken alongside Brisbane’s Peter Zoutenbier and Perth’s Jack Couranz, along with New Zealand’s Jamal Khan, South African Wayne Smith, and Nigerian Austin Adise.

Mr Zoutenbier, Mr Couranz and Mr Khan have been released as well.

Mr Gabbedy’s family confirmed on Monday that he was unhurt, but five of the men who were taken are injured – two of them seriously.

The group was in Nigeria working for mining giant Macmahon Holdings.

Mr Gabbedy is the company’s project manager at its Ewokoro site.

The family said the company negotiated the group’s release.

“We are enormously grateful to them,” Mr Gabbedy’s father said.

“And I am sure Mark’s late mother has been watching over him.”

Mr Gabbedy’s father, who has chosen to remain nameless, said the last five days have been “unbelievably stressful”.

He spoke with his son following the release late Sunday night.

The family has praised Macmahon Holdings, based in Western Australia, for its support during the ordeal.

Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk said Mr Gabbedy and the other company employees had shown courage during their time as hostages.

“Our men have been through a traumatic experience, and we have mobilised medical and other support teams in Nigeria to provide immediate support,” Mr van Dyk said.

“While we are relieved to be able to reunite the seven men with their loved ones, we are deeply saddened by the loss of the local driver Matthew Odok.”