August 25, 2008
-Channel TV News
Nigerian militants have released a Chevron supply vessel with its 11 crew members hijacked six weeks ago in the restive Niger Delta, a military source said Thursday.
Nine Nigerians, one Portuguese and one Ukrainian were released on Wednesday, the source said, refusing to say if a ransom was paid.
The attack on the Chevron vessel, Lourdes Tide, took place on May 13 between the oil city of Port Harcourt and Escravos in southern Nigeria.
Military Joint Task Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Musa Sagir said that the attackers had asked for a ransom of 30 million naira (260,000 dollars/165,000 euros) for the hostages.
A Pakistani and a Maltese working for Texas drilling company Lonestar, who were abducted on May 23, have also been released, company spokesman Mike Ugorji said.
The Maltese government said no ransom was paid.
In 2007 alone, more than 200 foreign workers were taken hostage, often being released after a ransom was paid.
Most of the attacks and kidnappings have been claimed by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), the most prominent militant group in the region.
Nigerian militants have released a Chevron supply vessel with its 11 crew members hijacked six weeks ago in the restive Niger Delta, a military source said Thursday.
Nine Nigerians, one Portuguese and one Ukrainian were released on Wednesday, the source said, refusing to say if a ransom was paid.
The attack on the Chevron vessel, Lourdes Tide, took place on May 13 between the oil city of Port Harcourt and Escravos in southern Nigeria.
Military Joint Task Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Musa Sagir said that the attackers had asked for a ransom of 30 million naira (260,000 dollars/165,000 euros) for the hostages.
A Pakistani and a Maltese working for Texas drilling company Lonestar, who were abducted on May 23, have also been released, company spokesman Mike Ugorji said.
The Maltese government said no ransom was paid.
In 2007 alone, more than 200 foreign workers were taken hostage, often being released after a ransom was paid.
Most of the attacks and kidnappings have been claimed by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), the most prominent militant group in the region.
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