Family awaits news of daughter detained in Nigeria

In Chester, Mont., Tammi Sims' family waited anxiously today for positive news.

Sims' parents and brother learned of her detention in Nigeria on Saturday, and since then, they have been on the phone nonstop with relatives, friends, and lawmakers, said Sims' father, Russell Pimley.

"We were sure she'd be out by now, and now it's another day," said Pimley. "It's just about the worst call you can get, to hear your daughter is in jail in Africa."

The Redmond woman had been to Nigeria at least twice before to help with the filming of the "Sweet Crude" documentary, Pimley said. But this time, he said, "her whole family tried to talk her out of going again."

"Everyone felt like she was pressing her luck."

He grew worried after Sims came back from one of her trips with photos of her traveling on a river with people holding guns.

"She always said, 'Oh Dad, nothing's going to happen,' " he said. "But if you have to be on a river like that ... it's obviously not the safest place in the world to be."

Sims, 35, teaches developmentally challenged adults in Seattle and worked with the "Sweet Crude" staff as a side project, Pimley said.

She's always been one to help people, he said, which is why she kept returning to Nigeria.

According to the "Sweet Crude" Web site, Sims bonded with a disabled young man in Oporoza, Nigeria, during one of her trips and raised money for a scholarship fund that allowed him to continue his studies.

"She's got too big of a heart," Pimley said. "I'm proud of her, but when it gets to be dangerous ... it's tough."

Pimley said his son, Adam, used to work for Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and alerted the senator about the situation. Tester is now in talks with the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria about Sims' release, Pimley said.

When his daughter returns, he said, she dare not try to venture over to Nigeria again.

"I'll bring her here and tie her up for about a month and not let her go anywhere," he said.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com