By Randy Fabi
ABUJA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Nigeria's main militant group said on Sunday it may release within 24 hours a Ukrainian and three Nigerian hostages kidnapped in the Niger Delta two months ago, but would continue to hold two Britons.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it was ready to release four of the hostages kidnapped by gunmen from their oil supply vessel on Sept. 9 in the delta.
The captives were among 27 oil workers MEND said it 'rescued' from their initial kidnappers in early October. The group has released two South Africans and 19 Nigerians.
'The remaining two British nationals will be kept with us until the government of (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown stops offering training and materials to the Nigerian armed forces,' the group said in an e-mailed statement.
A Nigerian military spokesman had no immediate comment.
The British government in July said it would send military experts to Africa's most populous country to help train Nigerian soldiers in the delta, the heart of the OPEC member's oil sector.
Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua took office 18 months ago promising to bring stability to the delta, but has seen little success and has sought help from overseas.
Militants, who say they want more development and a better living environment after decades of neglect, launched a campaign of violence against the oil sector in early 2006 cutting a fifth of Nigeria's oil production.
MEND said the two British hostages were also being used as leverage for the release of its suspected leader Henry Okah, who is on trial for gun-running and treason in the central Nigerian city of Jos.
'We also intend to tie their freedom to such a time when the insincere Nigerian government allows Henry Okah his freedom to attend to his failing health,' the group said.
A Nigerian judge last month adjourned Okah's trial to allow medics to check whether he is healthy enough to face the charges. His lawyers and family say the 43-year-old needs medical care for a kidney ailment.
(Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by Michael Roddy) Keywords: NIGERIA HOSTAGES/ (randolph.fabi@thomsonreuters.com; Abuja Newsroom + 234 9 461 3214, Reuters Messaging: randolph.fabi.thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
ABUJA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Nigeria's main militant group said on Sunday it may release within 24 hours a Ukrainian and three Nigerian hostages kidnapped in the Niger Delta two months ago, but would continue to hold two Britons.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it was ready to release four of the hostages kidnapped by gunmen from their oil supply vessel on Sept. 9 in the delta.
The captives were among 27 oil workers MEND said it 'rescued' from their initial kidnappers in early October. The group has released two South Africans and 19 Nigerians.
'The remaining two British nationals will be kept with us until the government of (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown stops offering training and materials to the Nigerian armed forces,' the group said in an e-mailed statement.
A Nigerian military spokesman had no immediate comment.
The British government in July said it would send military experts to Africa's most populous country to help train Nigerian soldiers in the delta, the heart of the OPEC member's oil sector.
Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua took office 18 months ago promising to bring stability to the delta, but has seen little success and has sought help from overseas.
Militants, who say they want more development and a better living environment after decades of neglect, launched a campaign of violence against the oil sector in early 2006 cutting a fifth of Nigeria's oil production.
MEND said the two British hostages were also being used as leverage for the release of its suspected leader Henry Okah, who is on trial for gun-running and treason in the central Nigerian city of Jos.
'We also intend to tie their freedom to such a time when the insincere Nigerian government allows Henry Okah his freedom to attend to his failing health,' the group said.
A Nigerian judge last month adjourned Okah's trial to allow medics to check whether he is healthy enough to face the charges. His lawyers and family say the 43-year-old needs medical care for a kidney ailment.
(Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by Michael Roddy) Keywords: NIGERIA HOSTAGES/ (randolph.fabi@thomsonreuters.com; Abuja Newsroom + 234 9 461 3214, Reuters Messaging: randolph.fabi.thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.