NIGERIA: Nigeria's Delta State governor says he is optimistic that oil workers taken hostage by militants in the Niger Delta will son be released

Record ID: 236373

  • Title: NIGERIA: Nigeria's Delta State governor says he is optimistic that oil workers taken hostage by militants in the Niger Delta will son be released
  • Date: 24th February 2006
  • Summary: MILITARY PERSONNEL IN FRONT OF THE GOVERNORS OFFICE
  • Embargoed: 11th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVADWA4O3PMS7X107YFDP5FN4F0D
  • Story Text: Despite recent violence against oil installations in southern Nigeria, which has hit confidence in Nigeria's ability to contain security threats against the oil industry and caused another spike in world oil prices, the regional governor on Wednesday (February 22) sounded an optimistic note.
    James Ibori, Governor of Delta State said he was confident that a group of oil workers taken hostage last week would soon be relased.
    "The youths (militants) feel that they are (in) mourning and need some time to bury their dead (killed in skirmishes with Nigerian military and security guards) and do funeral ritesbefore the hostages will be released , But we are hopeful very soon they will be released," Ibori told media in the southern town of Warri.
    Ibori went on to say that negotiations with the hostage takers were on track following the opening of local waterways and the air strip in Warri.
    Nine foreign oil workers have been held hostage since Saturday (February 18).
    The streets of Warri were calm on Wednesday, with very few signs that the local population might be concerned about an escalation of violence. Other than the occassional military patrol, it was very much business as usual.
    afr/jrc
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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