Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Nigerian Militants Release Nationalities of Oil Rig Hostages

   VOA News 12 November 2010

   A  Nigerian  militant  group  has  released the nationalities of seven
   hostages abducted Sunday from an offshore oil rig in Akwa Ibom state.
   The  Movement  for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said Friday its
   hostages are two Americans, two French nationals, one Canadian and two
   Indonesians.  MEND says they are in good health.
   The  seven were abducted during an attack on a rig operated by Afren.Â
   At  least two of the rig's crew members were wounded in the attack and
   left on the rig.
   U.S.  State  Department  spokesman P.J. Crowley said earlier this week
   that  the  United  States is working with Nigerian officials to secure
   freedom for the hostages.
   The  Niger  Delta  is  home  to criminal gangs that steal oil and take
   hostages  for  ransom.  The region also has militants who say they are
   fighting for a fairer distribution of oil wealth.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP.

.