Mixed news from Nigeria. American Macon Hawkins has been freed, but Cody Oswald and Russel Spell are still being held by the Ijaw rebels. Also held hostage are Briton John Hudspith, Egypt's Bardese Mohammed and Aly Shady, Tony Santos of the Philippines and Thailand's Muado Somsak and Arak Suwana.
We urge their immediate and unconditional release. Thanks to George for the tip. AFP:
Nigerian separatist guerrillas released six of their nine foreign hostages but warned that they would step up attacks aimed at shutting down the country's oil industry.
The militants also stated they would not hand over the remaining captives -- two Americans and a Briton -- until two ethnic Ijaw leaders are freed from jail and the oil giant Shell makes a hefty payout to polluted villages.
Officials confirmed that Macon Hawkins, a 69-year-old Texan suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, had been freed.
Meanwhile, an AFP reporter saw five more freed oil workers arriving at Delta State Governor James Ibori's lodge in the oil city of Warri and navy spokesman Captain Obiara Medani said that a total of six men had been freed.
1
If they've released one, they'll probably release the others, but only after this has been dragged out for a while and more statements have been made. In the past, the Nigerians have seemed much less likely to kill hostages than the Iraqis.
Posted by: Dave at March 01, 2006 02:40 PM (3aCNQ)
2
Are the kidnappers christians or muslims ? Does anyone know ?
Posted by: john ryan at March 01, 2006 05:11 PM (TcoRJ)
3
They are Ijaw, so Christians and animists.
Posted by: Rusty at March 01, 2006 05:12 PM (JQjhA)
4
ljaw? Then are they part of the overall Ibo group Rusty or just a small seperate minority?
Posted by: hondo at March 01, 2006 08:46 PM (fyKFC)
5
Ijaws are a distinct group from the Igbos.They are the dominant ethnic group in the Niger Delta. Supposedly they claim to be the fourth largets ethnic group in Nigeria
Posted by: Storm Georg at March 02, 2006 11:43 AM (TU6qQ)
6
Cody Oswald is my cousin and I want to know what
our government is doing to to rescue him and the other captives. We barely here any news on this which makes me think the Bush administration is not concerned about our American
citizens. These people have families just like the brave soilders fighting in Iraq. Is Cody any less important because he was working on an oil rig and not fighting in the war.
Posted by: Rachel at March 26, 2006 11:57 PM (y6n8O)
7
I found out this morning that Cody is on his way home. I'm not sure of the details but I believe all hostages have been released and are in good condition considering the circumstances.
Posted by: Rachel at March 27, 2006 12:53 PM (Ffvoi)
8
neil diamond Probaly you should read this. neil diamond Hope this helps. See you next life. Buy neil diamond now
Posted by: neil diamond at March 30, 2006 04:08 AM (+fcdT)
9
free solitaire Probaly you should read this. free solitaire Hope this helps. See you next life. Buy free solitaire now
Posted by: free solitaire at March 30, 2006 04:16 AM (uyRdQ)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
