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MEND releases Italian Hostages

March 14, 2007
Today Thursday march 15, 2007 we released the Italians: Cosma Russo and Franco Arena, captured in the December 7, 2006 raid on the Agip terminal in Brass, Rivers State

 

We wish to reiterate that we are not in talks with the Nigerian government and none of our demands till date have been met. The release of the two Italians is in response to pleas from comrades who have assisted the cause severally over the years. The last indirect talks we had with the Bayelsa state government was on February 5, 2007 through the Bayelsa state Secretary to the State Government. We long discontinued talks as we found him to be dishonest.

 

The Italians were taken, to bring to the attention of the people of Italy, the crimes being committed by Agip in the Niger Delta. This has clearly been achieved.

 

We understand as well, that these hostages are not wholly responsible for the injustice in the delta and their continued detention will not bring a solution to the overall problems of the Niger delta. They were handed over to the custody of Massimo Alberizzi, an Italian journalist visiting in the Niger delta, who in turn handed these individuals over to officials of Saipem a subsidiary of Agip in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at 0100hrs.

 

However, they will be replaced by other hostages who will again be taken off oil installations thought to be secure. We will attack such installations perceived to be secure to dispel the false sense of well being gradually building up in the oil industry.

 

As a send-off to the tyrant lording over Nigeria, we will step up our attacks against creek and land based installations around the Niger Delta. Car bombs will also be freely utilized within and outside the Niger delta. We will share our pain with all Nigerians.


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