President Pledges To Do Everything Possible To Save Hostages

President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday assured that he would do everything possible to save the lives of the three hostages still being held by ethnic Ijaw militants in the Niger Delta.

“We have to show restraint, even if this portrays the government as weak. If we choose to use force, lives will definitely be lost,” he said.

“I will do everything possible to save lives in all circumstances,” Obasanjo told Malcolm Brinded, director of exploration and production at Shell International during the latter’s visit to Abuja.

He said, from now on, all communities where development projects were sited would be the first beneficiaries of the services being provided by such facilities.

“We must ensure that an all-encompassing plan is put in place involving all tiers of government and relevant companies for a socio- economic transformation of all areas where mineral resources are mined,” Obasanjo said.

He said the Nigerian government expected oil-rich states and local councils to provide secondary schools, medical centre and roads, while companies operating in these parts of the country also also contribute to the local economy.

Brinded had earlier told Obasanjo that Shell appreciated the Nigerian government’s efforts to secure the release of the three hostages.

The three hostages, two Americans and a Briton, were abducted by militants from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta on February 18 along with six of their colleagues while laying pipes for Shell in the region.

All are employees of oil services company Willbros Group, based in Houston, Texas.

The six other hostages were released on March 1 by the militants who are demanding control of oil in the Niger Delta, a resource that accounts for more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s total annual foreign exchange earnings.

The militants are also demanding the immediate release of two Ijaw leaders, Mujahidee Asari-Dokubo, currently standing trial for treason and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the impeached governor of Bayelsa state in the Niger Delta, who is currently facing trial for embezzlement of public funds.

Alamieyeseigha jumped bail in London rather than face money laundering charges in that country, but was impeached, arrested and taken to court upon his return to Nigeria.

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