The Movement of the Niger Delta People which claimed responsibility for taking the Schlumberger workers hostage has while hailing the release on bail of Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo said the stage was now set for negotiations on the release of the hostages soon.
A statement sent online by the spokesperson of the group, Mr. Preye Amazo said though there were still some dangerous conditionalities to the freedom of their leader, it was still motivational enough for them to consider the release of the hostages.
The hostages taken from Schlumberger yard on June 1, 2007 are Mr. Jan Van De Mortel (Netherlands), Mr. James Thorburn (Edinburgh, Scotland), Mr. Massaoud Ahmadi (France), and Mr. Salman Ahmad (Pakistan).
The group blamed the combative and uncaring attitude of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the escalation of the crises in the region which later degenerated into hostage taking and other forms of restiveness.
They however counseled President Umaru Musa Yar�Adua to include Dokubo in the team of negotiators from the Niger Delta so that the real interest of the people will be well taken care of.
On the release of the hostages, they said that though they were not making firm promises they were going to do something positive but asked for the unconditional release of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreiye Alameiseigha.