Nigeria hostage takers free 13 captives
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
YENAGOA, Nigeria, Jun 12 (AP): Hostage takers in Nigeria's restive oil heartland released 13 captives Monday, including three Americans, officials said.
The militants said earlier they were releasing the hostages on "humanitarian grounds," while indicating they would continue attacks despite conciliatory efforts from new President Umaru Yar'Adua.
The freed hostages are the latest of some 200 foreigners, mostly oil workers, who have been kidnapped in a year and a half of rising violence in the region where Africa's biggest oil producer pumps its crude.
The militants said earlier they were releasing the hostages on "humanitarian grounds," while indicating they would continue attacks despite conciliatory efforts from new President Umaru Yar'Adua.
The freed hostages are the latest of some 200 foreigners, mostly oil workers, who have been kidnapped in a year and a half of rising violence in the region where Africa's biggest oil producer pumps its crude.