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French hostage 'freed' in Nigeria | French hostage 'freed' in Nigeria |
(10 minutes later) | |
A French oil worker held hostage in Nigeria's Niger Delta region since last month has been freed, Nigerian authorities say. | A French oil worker held hostage in Nigeria's Niger Delta region since last month has been freed, Nigerian authorities say. |
The contractor was believed to be the last foreigner held captive by militants in the restive area. | The contractor was believed to be the last foreigner held captive by militants in the restive area. |
The Frenchman is reported to have been held since early February. | The Frenchman is reported to have been held since early February. |
More than 100 foreign workers have been abducted in the Niger Delta over the past year and most have been released unharmed after a few weeks. | |
The circumstances of the release of the man, who worked for French oil giant Total, are not known. | |
It follows the freeing on Thursday of two Italian hostages held since 7 December. | It follows the freeing on Thursday of two Italian hostages held since 7 December. |
A local militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), which held the Italians has threatened more kidnappings. | |
Most captives have been linked to the oil industry, although some non-oil workers have also been abducted. | |
The BBC's Alex Last in Port Harcourt says initially most of those kidnapped were held by militants, who say they are fighting for local control of the oil wealth. | |
But he says increasingly, criminal gangs have become responsible for the bulk of the hostage takings. |
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