Nigerian most prominent rebel group said it has released two South African citizens kidnapped last week in the restive Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
In an email to media organizations, the group said:
�The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) can categorically confirm that the two South African hostages rescued by MEND from sea pirates have been released unharmed today, September 18, 2008.
�The duo were handed over to government secret service officials at 2300 Hrs who will in turn hand them over to representatives of the South African High Commission in Port Harcourt, Rivers state of Nigeria.
�This genuine release puts to rest speculations and anxiety to the families and the people of South Africa caused by the false statement from the obtuse spokesman of the military Joint Task “Fraud” (JTF).
�In this case, the army had hoped to cash in on a deliberate misinformation we put out and take the credit for a role they had no part in.
�We have been wondering how foolish he must have looked when they could not produce the hostages they said were “released without any ransom payment”.
�With this exposure, Nigerians and the world can now see that we have a military of deceit who have lied about their combat losses and gains, role in extra-judicial killings, rape, genocide and oil theft.�