Koreans Taken Hostage in Nigeria

Five South Koreans were taken hostage in Nigeria yesterday. Is this surprising? Of course not! Which part of this equation are people not getting?

Demand ransom + governments and firms pay ransom = more hostage taking

Forbes:

Gunmen kidnapped five South Koreans in an overnight raid on a gas plant in southern Nigeria owned by Shell, the militants and officials from the company and Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Unlike the last hostage taking in Nigeria, this one was immediately claimed by MEND. In the past, they've made similar political demands, but have settled for ransom. Also, notice the rebel leaders name which he took after his conversion. Another misunderstanderer, I'm sure.:

MEND indicated it wanted to exchange the hostages for the delta region's most prominent leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who has called for autonomy for southerners and was jailed last year on treason charges. His release has been a top militant demand since they took up arms this year.

The statement advised the South Korean contractor to "close down its operations with immediate effect as a second attack will bring only death."

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said three of the kidnapped South Koreans worked for Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., and the other two are from the state-invested Korea Gas Corp., the ministry said. A Nigerian was also kidnapped, South Korea said.

The Koreans were "in good health and have been returned to one of our bases," the militants said. "As long as the units holding these individuals do not come under attack, no harm will come to the prisoners. We do not kill those fortunate to be captured by our fighters."

Thanks to George for keeping an eye out on hostage takings.

Posted by: Rusty at 11:18 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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