A Nigerian leader apologized for the kidnapping of 24 Filipino seamen by members of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta in Nigeria last January 20 who had since been released, ABS-CBN reported.
“I want to apologise on behalf of my people for this inconvenience they may have suffered. We hope and we pray that it will never happen again,” Delta state governor James Ibori said in an AP video shown over ANC.
The Filipinos were kidnapped by Nigerian militants while on a ship, the Baco Liner, in the Niger Delta, a region of Nigeria.
A picture posted in the Nigeria Punch, an on-line news page, showed that the seamen were brought to the southern city of Warri and are now expected to return home this weekend.
They were allegedly released on humanitarian grounds and government says no ransom was paid.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Filipinos were in good condition and no ransom was paid
“I would like to personally thank Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo for taking a direct hand in the release of our nationals even as I pray for the eventual release of those still held.
Mrs. Arroyo also said she wanted “to commend our diplomatic personnel, ambassador Masaranga Umpa in particular, for being focused and faithful to their tasks.”
“I am glad to learn that the released ship crew are all well and may soon be reunited with their families,” she said.
Meanwhile, Filipino engineer Winston Helera and Josiebeth Foroozan, the Filipina wife of an Iranian, remain in the hands of the kidnappers.
Foroozan’s relatives in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro lament what they say is government’s inaction on her abduction.
Foroozan’s parents have also become sickly, but the Philippine government assures the Nigerian government is doing its best to secure the release of the remaining Filipino hostages.
Malacanang, meanwhile, reminded prospective overseas Filipino workers that the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Nigeria, remains.