Nigeria promises kidnap crackdown

Militants are making money from ransoms paid by oil firms

Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has promised to act against those suspected of involvement in a string of kidnappings in the Niger Delta region.

He said he had ordered 24-hour patrols in the Delta's creeks and swamps, and threatened action against oil firms who paid ransoms for their workers.

"We are going to be firm and say no to violence and hostage taking," he said.

Five groups of foreign oil workers have been seized in the delta in the past two weeks but no-one has been arrested.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, shortly after four foreign workers were freed unharmed, Mr Obasanjo vowed to confront "force with force".

"Wherever we find hostage-takers now, we will hunt them down. We will not accept this any longer," the statement read.

The two Norwegians and two Ukrainians freed on Tuesday were seized on 9 August from a supply vessel moored in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

They were freed one day after four other workers were seized and five released.

Determination

Earlier this year, Mr Obasanjo pledged to create thousands of new jobs and construct a new motorway to the Niger Delta in an effort to calm tensions in the region.

Wherever we find hostage-takers now, we will hunt them down Olusegun Obasanjo Nigerian president

But continued violence and kidnappings have seen a change in the president's tone.

A rise in attacks in recent months by militants, seeking more local control of the Niger Delta's rich oil resources, has cut Nigeria's oil production by 25%.

"Wherever we find hostage-takers now, we will hunt them down. We will not accept this any longer," he reportedly said at a meeting in the region.

"Nigeria is a signatory to international conventions which categorise hostage-takers and their accomplices in non-international conflict situations as terrorists to be hunted down wherever they go."

Confusion

Oil industry sources say hostage-taking has become an attractive business, as oil companies strike clandestine ransom deals.

The Delta is awash with weapons, unemployment is high and communities feel aggrieved at the lack of development.

Armed groups have proliferated, often linked to local politicians.

Three Filipinos, a Belgian and a Moroccan were released on Monday.

But four more workers, including two Britons, were seized on Sunday.

Nigerian authorities say they still do not have full details on how many hostages remain in captivity, although reports say at least six are still being held.