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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Briton freed after kidnap ordeal | Briton freed after kidnap ordeal |
| (about 11 hours 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, which is at the heart of the country's Niger Delta oil region. | |
| The man is reportedly originally from Aberdeen and a former employee of the Indo Rama petrochemicals firm. | |
| A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the unidentified man had been 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. | 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. | Almost all have been released but rebel action has disrupted oil supplies. |
| 'Safe and well' | 'Safe and well' |
| The spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a British man was released on Saturday and is 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. | "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." | "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. | She was unable to confirm details of the man's identity or the circumstances in which he was freed. |
| However, he is believed to be a businessman who has lived in Nigeria for several years. | |
| Reports suggested no ransom was paid to secure his release. | Reports suggested no ransom was paid to secure his release. |
| Rebel activity | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Nigeria's oil production has been cut by 20% because of unrest in the region over the past few years. |