Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the Federal Government is doing everything possible to secure the release of all foreign nationals being held hostage in the Niger Delta, contrary to insinuations in some quarters.
The ministry was reacting to a formal complaint by the Chinese ambassador, Mr Xu Jianguo, over an alleged abduction of five Chinese nationals in Rivers State.
“All will be done to free the hostages as soon as possible”, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said in Abuja.
Ahmed, who confirmed receiving the formal protest from the envoy, described the incident as “unfortunate”.
“We want to assure other nationals that Nigeria is still a good nation for the conduct of business and will never compromise law and order”, the permanent secretary added.
“I also want to assure you that President Olusegun Obasanjo is deeply concerned about the security of Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike, and shall do everything to end this menace”, he said.
According to reports, unidentified armed men kidnapped five Chinese nationals in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers.
Hu said the affected Chinese nationals were members of staff of Sichuan Telecom Company.
Reports said the oil-rich Niger Delta accounts for more than 90 per cent of the nation’s foreign earnings.