Adeze Ojukwu, Cajetan Mmuta and Napoleon Ehiremen
2 March 2006
Lagos/Asaba/Warri — AFTER ten days in captivity, six of the nine expatriate oil workers kidnapped by militant Ijaw youths yesterday breathed air of freedom.
They include diabetic American, Macon Hawkins who turned 69 yesterday, and two Egyptians, Shaely Ali and Feisa Mohammed. Others are one Filipino, Anthonio Santos and two Thai, Sonsak Mhadmho and Arak Suwanna.
They were first released to some unnamed foreign journalists at Miller Jetty in Warri, who later handed them over to Governor James Ibori of Delta State and a prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
Their Freedom coincided with a fresh attack on an ocean vessel, Africa Prince at Okerenkoko in Warri South West local government area by suspected Ijaw youths.
They reportedly robbed the captain of the ship, which was conveying diesel to the Warri refinery of $400,000 (about N50 million).
The freed hostages were driven from the waterside in a Toyota Jeep marked Delta AE 141 GRA, to the Governor's lodge, Warri where they were received by Chief Ibori.
They were accompanied to the Governor's lodge by the Director of State Security Service (SSS) Mr. Babatunde Adebayo.
Receiving the hostages, Ibori appealed to their captors, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to release the remaining three oil workers.
Speaking in similar vein Chief Clark urged the Federal Government to address the demands of MEND.
Earlier yesterday, MEND said they had released three hostages, an American and two Egyptians on medical ground.
An e-mail purportedly sent by MEND and signed by Gen. Brutus Ebipade to Daily Champion said: "in as much as we remain rigid in the tenets and demands that forced us to rebel, we had paid honour to humanity in the celebration of the release of one American, who is aged and feeble, a diabetic patient alongside a couple of Egyptians, who were exposed to the trauma that the Niger Delta child had been forced to live in for over 50 years took ill.
"In need of adequate medical attention which MEND, out of respect for the basic prerogative of humanity to be afforded the luxury of heathcare facilities considered expedient and wise to accord nature of a leaf of goodwill.
"The world should read our intentions and understand our noble cause. The group further warned that it would intensify its on-going attacks on oil companies in the region.
"The month of March is here at last. The next phase of our sophisticated rebellion is unsealed. The guerilla strategies shall be unleashed.
"Operation oiled venom is on the sea. The tempers of the goods of Izonland is sailing with hammer of a whirlwind. The month of March shall witness mayhem, madness and murder of every element, institution or ideology that dare to sabotage the economic autonomy of the Niger Delta people. Beware!" MEND further warned.
An ocean going vessel named Africa Prince, conveying diesel to Warri refinery was attacked by militant youths at Okerenkoko in Warri South West of Delta State in the early hours of yesterday.
Ten militant youths, who were said to have dispossed the Captain of the ship and other crew member of the sum of $ 400,000.00 ( N 50m) also siphoned the content of the vessel.
It would be recalled that a vessel conveying kerosine was attacked by the militants at Chanomi creek in the early hours of Tuesday carting away huge sum of money and valuables belonging to member of the crew.
When contacted the commanding officer NNS Delta Naval base, Warri, Captain Mufutau Ajibade confirmed the incident. He said that the navy will henceforth provide naval escort for vessels.
He added that the attacked vessel has been released and anchored at Warri jetty, he said naval patrol will be increased in the Warri water ways.
Our correspndent gathered that the militia has resulted to attacking vessels because they are running out of funds for their operations due to military activities on the water ways.
MEND had on February 18 abducted three Americans, two Britons, two Eqyptians, one Filipino and a Thai.
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