Nigerian government officials have begun talks to secure the release of six Filipino seamen snatched from a cargo ship in the southern oil producing delta, authorities said on Sunday.
The talks began as Nigerian warships mobilised for a four-day naval exercise around the Niger Delta oilfields, where militant attacks and kidnappings have hit production from the world’s eighth largest oil exporter.
“The six Filipinos are in good health and the government has made contact with their captors to ensure they are safe and to secure their early release,” said Sheddy Ozoene, a spokesman for Delta State where the abduction took place.
Military and oil industry sources said on Saturday that a Nigerian seaman was also among the hostages.
The kidnappers have demanded the release of two jailed leaders from the delta — a former governor who was impeached for corruption and a former militia leader facing treason charges, Ozoene said.
The demands are the same as those made by another militant group which is holding three foreign oil workers hostage since Dec. 7 and whose attacks last February hit oil production.
The latest incident brings to nine the number of foreign workers being held hostage in the Niger Delta.
NAVAL EXERCISE
In response to a rising wave of violence, the Nigerian navy on Sunday mobilised warships for a four-day exercise off Bonny Island oil and gas export complex starting on Tuesday.
Military sources say 13 warships, 4 smaller boats and three helicopter gunships will take part in the exercise.
Three oil workers including a Dutch national were killed by armed robbers on their way in a boat to Bonny Island last Tuesday.
The Filipinos were taken from a cargo ship operated by Germany’s Baco-Liner, based in Duisburg, which runs between Europe and several ports across West Africa.
Amid confused initial reports, military and industry sources had said seven foreigners working in the oil industry were abducted.
Militants want to drive out foreigners from the delta and secure regional control over its oil wealth. The vast wetlands region is also blighted by violent crime, communal conflicts and corruption.
Ships entering delta ports are often harassed by pirates from local communities who demand protection money.
Militants on Thursday released a sick Italian oil worker who had been in captivity in the remote creeks in another part of the delta since Dec. 7 but said they would keep three other foreigners. All four worked for Agip, a unit of Italian energy firm Eni .
Also on Thursday, another armed group released five Chinese telecom workers, who had been held since their abduction from their apartment on Jan. 5.