Kidnapped Briton declines release - MEND

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Monday said it could not fulfil its earlier promise to release its British hostage, Mathew Maguire, because of a request by the captured man.

The group in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said Mr. Maguire, who has spent nine months in captivity, "declined the gift of a release from captivity with an argument that he is now an advocate for change in the region and a honorary member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)."

MEND said Mr. Maguire has now tied his release to that of detained suspected militant, Henry Okah.

Mr. Maguire, according to the statement, said "his release should only be considered when Henry Okah is freed to participate in a credible peace process or has been allowed to travel for his urgent kidney surgery.

"This has come as a surprise to us and we cannot forcibly eject him from our camp against his will," the statement said.

Birthday gift

MEND had said on Monday morning it would release kidnapped Mathew Maguire during the day as his birthday gift.

In an email, Mr. Gbomo said, "Today, June 1 is Mathew Maguire's birthday. He has spent close to 9 months in captivity and we hope to release him today as his gift," Mr. Gbomo said.

"Due to safety concerns, we wish to alert the British High Commission of our intentions so they can inform the government to put a leash on the overzealous JTF who may plan to ambush the fighters along with Mathew to score cheap publicity that he was rescued by them.

"His company may begin the process of receiving him tonight while we make arrangements for a safe drop off zone," he added.

Nigeria's Joint Taskforce (JTF) had started a military onslaught on the region on May 16, 2009 following the alleged kidnap of some soldiers by a faction of the militants in the Niger Delta creeks.

Mr. Maguire, who works for Adamac Industries Ltd, was kidnapped in September last year when the armed convoy he was travelling in was attacked in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

At the time of the kidnap, MEND had said he would not be freed unless Henry Okah, its leader, was released from custody by the Nigerian government. Mr. Okah is on trial for gun running and treason.

In a statement released in January, Mr. Gbomo had said: "We intend to hold on to [the Britons] for as long as a very sick and dying Henry Okah is held hostage by the Nigerian state. Since their fate is now tied to his, God forbid that Henry Okah should die in detention."

Another Briton seized with Mr. Maguire, Robin Barry Hughes, was set free by the militants in April because of his ill health.

MEND, the main militant group in the oil-rich Niger Delta has previously used the British hostage to warn the British government against offering any training or equipment to the Nigerian armed forces.

Related links

Nigerian Rebels To Free British Hostage As "Birthday Gift"

Nigeria's main rebel group fighting for greater control of oil resources in the Niger delta, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger delta (MEND) today said it will free hostage held for the past nine months as a "birthday gift."