Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Nigeria Says Eight Western Hostages Released
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=12786B6:3919ACA The eight
foreigners were taken from an offshore oil rig Friday by 20 to 30
armed men Officials in Nigeria say kidnappers have freed six remaining
Western oil workers, after earlier releasing two of the men.

Authorities say the six hostages - four Britons, one Canadian and one
American - are with Nigerian officials in the Bayelas state
capital. Two Britons were freed earlier Sunday.  Officials say all of
the men appear to be in good health.

The eight foreigners were taken from an offshore oil rig Friday by 20
to 30 armed men.  Details on the identify of the kidnappers and the
conditions for the release of the foreigners were not immediately
available.

Kidnappings have been a common tactic by disgruntled locals who say
oil companies do not give communities a fair share of the region's oil
wealth.

Attacks against oil companies in the Niger Delta region have caused a
20 percent decline in Nigeria's oil production this year. Some
information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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