The Nigerian kidnappers who hijacked four foreigners, including
a Bulgarian, has placed political demands to the Nigerian
authorities for their release, revealed Dimitar Tsanchev, spokesman
of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Tsanchev told the state-runned BTA that the Nigerian authorities
was keeping contacts with the kidnappers of a unknown Nigerian
armed group--"Movement for the freedom of the Niger Delta "who
claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of four foreigners.
The kidnappers put the political demands that the Nigeran
government released an ex governor of Nigerian Bayelsa state,
arrested for "money Laundering" and another imprisoned leader of an
active armed group in the region of Niger Delta, Tsanchev said.
It's not clear yet whether the kidnappers demand money, nor the
current situation of the hostages, Tsanchev added.
The kidnappers and hostages are located near the Niger Delta
city Werri. The country's Navy and Land Forces and police have been
already gathered on location.
The Bulgarian embassy in Abuja keeps contact with the local
authorities and the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom
and Honduras, whose citizens are also among the four hostages, said
Tschev.
Four foreign workers hired by the local petrol company Tidex
were kidnapped on Wednesday evening when they were working on an
oilfield on sea.
Nigeria is the biggest oil-export country in Africa with a daily
oil production of 2.5 million barrels. But the situation in the oil
region of Nigeria remains turbulent. Strikes, kidnappings and
extortions take place frequently.
(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2006)
