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6 expatriate hostages
regain freedom
In an unprecedented rescue operation launched by a commando unit of the
South Eastern Naval Command yesterday, six expatriate oil workers held
hostage by militants in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria regained their
freedom.
The rescued oil workers included two Finnish citizens, one Philippino, one
Romanian, a polish national and an Italian, the only one who sustained some
injuries. All of them were staff of ENI, an Italian firm, operating in the
area. Six rifles and the boat used by the militants were recovered.
According to a statement signed by Frank Nweke Jnr, minister of Information
and National Orientation, one Briton however, lost his life in the
crossfire. Similarly, two militants were killed in the operation.
This is the first commando rescue operation by Government since the upsurge
in militant activities in the Niger Delta area.
It would be recalled that the federal government had, in the interest of
peace, consistently negotiated the peaceful release of hostages in the past.
The federal government assures all Nigerians and business interests in the
Niger Delta of its unwavering resolve to ensure the security of lives and
property in the Niger Delta region and the country at large.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
25 2006