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Four foreign hostages taken in the Niger delta

The main militant group in Nigeria's oil-rich delta claimed responsibility for seizing four foreign hostages on Thursday, and vowed more attacks would follow if their long-standing demands were not met.

The three Italians and one Lebanese seized from an oil export terminal run by a subsidiary of Italy's Eni SpA would be exchanged only if some of their long-standing demands are met, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said in an e-mailed statement.

The militants have claimed for nearly a year that their key aims are winning the release of the southern delta region's two most prominent leaders, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Dokubo-Asari, who waged a struggle for autonomy for the eight million Ijaws that have dominated the Niger delta for years, was jailed on treason charges in September last year. Alamieyeseigha was arrested shortly afterward in Nigeria after fleeing Britain on money laundering charges.

The militants have also demanded Royal Dutch Shell PLC pay compensation of about US$1.5 billion to local communities for alleged environmental pollution, charges Shell has rejected.

"The following days will witness more attacks against oil industry targets," the statement said.
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