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Gunmen seize Nigerian MP's mother Gunmen seize Nigerian MP's mother
(about 5 hours later)
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the mother of a local MP in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta, authorities say.Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the mother of a local MP in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta, authorities say.
The woman was abducted on Monday night from her home in Brass, a coastal village in Bayelsa, one of Nigeria's main oil-producing states.The woman was abducted on Monday night from her home in Brass, a coastal village in Bayelsa, one of Nigeria's main oil-producing states.
Meanwhile, the 11-year-old son of another member Bayelsa State House of Assembly has been freed.Meanwhile, the 11-year-old son of another member Bayelsa State House of Assembly has been freed.
It is not clear whether any ransom was paid for the boy's release. Such payments are always officially denied. In the main Delta city, Port Harcourt, police have arrested a local politician following deadly gang clashes.
The elderly mother of the speaker of the same local state legislature was freed four days earlier after 10 days in captivity. Posters of Amakiri Otelemagba were found in a car allegedly used by gunmen in the weekend clashes, in which at least 15 people were killed - mostly bystanders.
The city is now calm but BBC Nigeria correspondent Alex Last says given the scale and spread of the fighting, there is a suspicion that powerful political figures may also have been involved in the violence.
He says that in the past, the gangs have been used to rig elections.
ToddlersToddlers
These latest kidnappings are a new trend in the region where militants used to kidnap mostly foreign oil workers for ransoms. It is not clear whether any ransom was paid for the release of the 11-year-old boy. Such payments are always officially denied.
In the neighbouring Rivers state, two toddlers were kidnapped last month in Port Harcourt. The elderly mother of the speaker of the Bayelsa State legislature was freed on 3 August after 10 days in captivity.
These latest kidnappings are a new trend in the region where militants used to kidnap mostly foreign oil workers for ransom.
In Port Harcourt in neighbouring Rivers State, two toddlers were kidnapped last month.
A three-year-old daughter of a British worker was kidnapped and later released.A three-year-old daughter of a British worker was kidnapped and later released.
Another two-year-old son of a local chief was also snatched on his way to school in Nigeria's violent oil capital, Port Harcourt and later released to his father. Another two-year-old son of a local chief was also snatched on his way to school in Nigeria's violent oil capital and later released to his father.
Foreign oil workers are still being targeted, with at least five still in captivity.Foreign oil workers are still being targeted, with at least five still in captivity.
Over 200 expatriate workers have been kidnapped since early 2006 when militant groups stepped up their violent campaign for Niger Delta residents to have a larger share of Nigeria's oil money.Over 200 expatriate workers have been kidnapped since early 2006 when militant groups stepped up their violent campaign for Niger Delta residents to have a larger share of Nigeria's oil money.
Hostages are normally released unharmed after ransom payments that are often denied by governments and the oil companies involved.Hostages are normally released unharmed after ransom payments that are often denied by governments and the oil companies involved.
The relationship between the oil militants and the criminal gangs is unclear.