Foreign oil workers freed in Nigeria

[December 02, 2011]  LAGOS, NIGERIA (AP) -- Authorities say gunmen have released at least two workers who were kidnapped two weeks ago from a ship supplying a Chevron Corp. offshore oil field in waters off Nigeria.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Deb MacLean said Friday the workers were released but gave no details.

Eight gunmen boarded the MV C-Endeavour on Nov. 17 and took three hostages about 70 nautical miles off Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta. The three were foreigners and two of them were believed to be American.

In 2006, militants in Nigeria started attacking foreign oil companies, including bombing their pipelines, kidnapping their workers and fighting with security forces. That violence waned in 2009 with a government-sponsored amnesty program promising ex-fighters monthly payments and job training. However, few in the delta have seen the promised benefits.

[Associated Press]

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