This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6172546.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Hostage killed in Nigeria battle British hostage killed in Nigeria
(about 2 hours later)
One foreign oil worker has been killed and another seriously wounded during an attempt to free those seized by Nigerian militants, the navy says. A British oil worker has been killed and an Italian seriously wounded during an attempt to free those seized by Nigerian militants, the navy says.
A Nigerian navy spokesman told the BBC that the remaining five foreign hostages had been rescued unharmed, while two militants were killed.A Nigerian navy spokesman told the BBC that the remaining five foreign hostages had been rescued unharmed, while two militants were killed.
The hostages, from Finland, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, Romania and the UK, worked for Italian firm Eni.The hostages, from Finland, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, Romania and the UK, worked for Italian firm Eni.
The nationality of the dead hostage has not been released. Hostages are usually freed unharmed, often after ransoms are paid.
Correspondents say hostages are usually freed unharmed, often after ransoms are paid.
Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues.Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues.
The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred.The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred.
Output cutOutput cut
The hostages were seized from a supply ship off the Niger Delta coast by 10 armed men on speedboats early on Wednesday morning.The hostages were seized from a supply ship off the Niger Delta coast by 10 armed men on speedboats early on Wednesday morning.
Nigerian navy Captain Obiora Madani told the BBC that several militants had been captured during the operation to rescue them.Nigerian navy Captain Obiora Madani told the BBC that several militants had been captured during the operation to rescue them.
A security source said the navy had suffered no casualties.A security source said the navy had suffered no casualties.
Eni said the remaining 76 members of the crew who were on the ship when it was first attacked are in good health and no damage to the ship was reported.Eni said the remaining 76 members of the crew who were on the ship when it was first attacked are in good health and no damage to the ship was reported.
A series of attacks in Nigeria's main oil-producing region has cut output by about 25% this year.A series of attacks in Nigeria's main oil-producing region has cut output by about 25% this year.
Nigeria is among the world biggest oil producers but most of its people live in poverty.Nigeria is among the world biggest oil producers but most of its people live in poverty.
In September, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised strong action to curb armed groups in the Niger Delta, but the attacks have continued.In September, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised strong action to curb armed groups in the Niger Delta, but the attacks have continued.
Our correspondent says oil companies are bracing themselves for further violence in the Delta as competing politicians try to use the armed groups to secure victory in next year's elections.Our correspondent says oil companies are bracing themselves for further violence in the Delta as competing politicians try to use the armed groups to secure victory in next year's elections.