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Nigerian group frees UK hostage Nigerian group frees UK hostage
(about 4 hours later)
A British man held hostage in Nigeria for more than six months has been freed, a military official said.A British man held hostage in Nigeria for more than six months has been freed, a military official said.
The official said Robin Barry Hughes was handed over to the military in Nigeria's southern oil region.The official said Robin Barry Hughes was handed over to the military in Nigeria's southern oil region.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) had held the 59-year-old oil worker, from St Margaret's Bay in Kent, since September.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) had held the 59-year-old oil worker, from St Margaret's Bay in Kent, since September.
Kidnapping is common in the Niger Delta by armed groups trying to force the government to share oil revenue.Kidnapping is common in the Niger Delta by armed groups trying to force the government to share oil revenue.
Kidnaps 'to continue'Kidnaps 'to continue'
Mend said in an e-mail earlier on Sunday that it would release Mr Hughes, an oil worker, "on health and age considerations".Mend said in an e-mail earlier on Sunday that it would release Mr Hughes, an oil worker, "on health and age considerations".
There was no mention in the message of a second British hostage, Matthew Maguire, from Birkenhead, Merseyside.There was no mention in the message of a second British hostage, Matthew Maguire, from Birkenhead, Merseyside.
Mr Hughes's brother Simon said he had spoken to his sibling, who sounded "fairly well" but was "not too good medically".
Simon Hughes added: "We're still waiting for confirmation on when he's going to be home. So obviously it's great news to hear of the release but obviously it goes on until he actually arrives back here in the UK.
"So, you know, we just hope medically he's OK to travel very soon and arrangements will be in place."
Most of the 27 people captured in the September incident have already been released by the group.Most of the 27 people captured in the September incident have already been released by the group.
Mend said in January the two Britons would not be released until the Nigerian government freed the group's leader, Henry Okah, who is being tried on charges of arms trafficking.Mend said in January the two Britons would not be released until the Nigerian government freed the group's leader, Henry Okah, who is being tried on charges of arms trafficking.
Photographs of Mr Hughes and Mr Maguire were released in January, showing them looking dishevelled but uninjured in a forest clearing.Photographs of Mr Hughes and Mr Maguire were released in January, showing them looking dishevelled but uninjured in a forest clearing.
In an e-mail sent to journalists, Mend had said: "Since their fate is now tied to his, God forbid that Henry Okah should die in detention."In an e-mail sent to journalists, Mend had said: "Since their fate is now tied to his, God forbid that Henry Okah should die in detention."
Mend said militants would continue to kidnap "high value oil workers from Western Europe and North America" in 2009 to keep pressure on the government to empower the inhabitants of Nigeria's oil-rich states.Mend said militants would continue to kidnap "high value oil workers from Western Europe and North America" in 2009 to keep pressure on the government to empower the inhabitants of Nigeria's oil-rich states.