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Briton freed after kidnap ordeal | Briton freed after kidnap ordeal |
(10 minutes later) | |
A British national kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria has been released, the Foreign Office has confirmed. | A British national kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria has been released, the Foreign Office has confirmed. |
The man was seized by a five-strong gang on 15 September in Port Harcourt, at the heart of the country's Niger Delta oil region. | The man was seized by a five-strong gang on 15 September in Port Harcourt, at the heart of the country's Niger Delta oil region. |
Originally from Scotland, the man was reportedly a former employee of the Indo Rama petrochemicals firm. | Originally from Scotland, the man was reportedly a former employee of the Indo Rama petrochemicals firm. |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said he was released unharmed early on Saturday. | |
More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped by militants in the Niger Delta, the heart of the country's oil industry, since 2006. | |
Almost all have been released but rebel action has disrupted oil supplies. | |
'Safe and well' | |
The spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a British man was released on Saturday and is safe and well. | |
"He was kidnapped on 15 September at Port Harcourt. We are not able to speculate on who might have been behind it. | |
"Nigerian authorities were taking the lead in the investigation and our staff were in touch with them." | |
She was unable to confirm details of the man's identity or the circumstances in which he was freed. | |
However, the man is believed to be a businessman from Aberdeen who has lived in Nigeria for several years. | |
Reports suggested no ransom was paid to secure his release. | |
Rebel activity | |
The kidnapping coincided with action by the rebel Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), which "declared war" on the Nigerian Oil Industry last month. | |
Mend caused severe disruption by attacking gas plants, oil installations and pipelines. It claims to be fighting for greater control over oil wealth in the impoverished region. | |
But opponents say the militants make money from criminal rackets and trade in stolen oil. | |
Nigeria's oil production has been cut by 20% because of unrest in the region over the past few years. |