Nigel Brennan

Nigel Brennan
Born 18 May 1972
Nationality Australian
Education Griffith University
Occupation Photojournalist and author

Nigel Brennan (born 18 May 1972)[1] is an Australian photojournalist and author. In 2008, Islamist insurgents in southern Somalia kidnapped him, and Canadian freelance journalist, Amanda Lindhout. He was released 15 months later after a ransom payment was given to Brennan’s captors. He then went on to write a memoir recounting his hostage experience. In 2013, Brennan competed in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, and spoke after the end of the Atlantic leg about his abduction and its psychological aftermath.[2][3][4]

Abduction

On August 23, 2008, three days after having arrived in Mogadishu, Nigel Brennan and Amanda Lindhout were ambushed and kidnapped along with their Somali translator, Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi, their driver, Mahad Isse, and a driver from the Shamo Hotel, Marwali. They were on their way to conduct interviews at an IDP camp when they were stopped by gunmen.[5] The abductors were teenage insurgents affiliated with the Hizbul Islam fundamentalist group.[6] Brennan and Lindhout were held in isolation, mostly in a room 3 x 5 meters, and often in the dark.[7]

Both Brennan and Lindhout converted to Muslim to ingratiate themselves with their captors.[8] An escape attempt through a toilet window ended with their dramatic recapture in a mosque. Elmi and the two drivers were released on January 15, 2009.[9] The kidnappers later lowered the ransom demand to $1 million.[10]

After being held hostage for 462 days,[11] the ransom was paid. They were both released on November 25, 2009. Former Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown and businessman Dick Smith loaned money to secure their release.[12]

The Australian Government have a no-ransom policy which led them to having very little involvement to Brennan's case.[13][14][15]

Memoir

In 2011, Brennan released the memoir, The Price of Life: A True Story of Kidnap & Ransom. He co-authored it with his sister, Nicky Bonney, and sister-in-law, Kellie Brennan, which detailed his psychological journey, from the first weeks to the end - as well as the family's perspective.[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kidnap journalist's 'sick in shackles'". The Australian Broadcast Corporation. May 27, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Kidnap victim Nigel Brennan speaks of ordeal, anger at federal government". News.com.au. December 1, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ Andrew Collins and Chloe Papas (November 28, 2013). "From hostage to sailor: the extraordinary story of Nigel Brennan". ABC. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ Tim Elliott (June 25, 2011). "Hostage for 462 days ... tale of survival out of Africa". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Canadian journalist reported abducted in Somalia". CBC.ca. August 23, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Theglobeandmail.com". The Star. May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  7. ↑ Nigel Brennan, Kellie Brennan and Nicole Bonney (2011). The Price of Life:A True Story of Kidnap & Ransom. Penguin Australia Pty Ltd.
  8. ↑ Nigel Brennan, Kellie Brennan and Nicole Bonney (2011). The Price of Life:A True Story of Kidnap & Ransom. Penguin Australia Pty Ltd.
  9. ↑ "Cbc.ca". Cbc.ca. January 16, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ Dawn Walton (August 4, 2009). "Theglobeandmail.com". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Nigel Brennan Biography". ICMI Speakers 7 Entertainers. 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Freed Somalia hostage apologises to family". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Dec 9, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Piracy Emerging from Somalia: International and Indian Responses". Sage Publications. January 1, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Australian Government Response to the Report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee: Held Hostage". Australian Government: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. September 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Australia's no-ransom policy". Parliament of Australia. 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  16. ↑ http://www.bookworm.com.au/the-price-of-life-9781921518782.aspx