AP Worldstream: Nigerian militants release kidnapped German, Nigerian oil workers: Posted 19 June 2005

DANIEL BALINT-KURTI

Militants in southern Nigeria have released two German and four Nigerian oil workers they had taken hostage, a local government official said.

"They were released unconditionally," said Preye Wariowei, a spokesman for the Nigerian state of Bayelsa, where the workers subcontracted to Shell were seized by gunmen on Wednesday. He said the two Germans were now in the care of their direct employer, German firm Bilfinger Berger.

Wariowei said the hostages were unharmed.

A group called the Iduwuni National Union for Peace and Development has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, demanding Shell pay local communities US$20 million (A€16 million) as compensation for pollution and environmental degradation due to oil activities.

Bayelsa Deputy Governor Goodluck Jonathan left in a helicopter to collect the captives early Saturday, after a team of government officials failed to make their way through creeks and swamps to the remote location where the hostages were held.

Shell has said the Iduwuni were also dissatisfied with the company's efforts to deliver promised jobs and amenities to nine communities bordering a key offshore oil field in Africa's largest oil producer.

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