Militants released eight hostages including staff of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and military personnel on Wednesday at the Oporoma Community in Bayelsa State.They were released on Tuesday after the Bayelsa State Government intervened.
Armed Ijaw youth barricaded an SPDC facility and military boat at Oporoma on Wednesday, thereby taking hostage of about 60 SPDC staff and military men guarding the area.
But reacting swiftly, the state government detailed a delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Boladei Igali, to negotiate the release of the hostages.
Daily Independent learnt that Igali and his team were able to effect the release of only eight of the hostages who arrived Yenagoa on Tuesday night.
However, the remaining hostages are in stable condition as none was halt by the Ijaw youth who over-run the vicinity in an attempt to register their prolonged grievances.
It was gathered that the delegation continued negotiations with the militants as SPDC has promised to fulfil all the requirements of the host communities.
Sources said the communities were, however, not happy over the neglect of the area by the multinational oil companies, especially the delay in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the oil company and host communities.
The militants may release the remaining hostages on Thursday if the accord between the communities and the SPDC is concluded on a positive note.
When contacted, the Spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force in Warri Delta State, Major Said Hammed, noted that he was yet to be informed on the peace deal and release of the hostages.