BBC News Online: Despatches

US hostage escapes

One of the 15 hostages being held by villagers on a house-boat in Nigeria's oil-producing region has escaped on a supply boat. The hostage who escaped was an American. Two Britons, an Australian, and a number of Nigerians, remain on board the boat. Diplomats say tensions have reduced and negotiations are still going on to try to secure their release. From Lagos, Hilary Andersson reports.

The American hostage on board escaped by sneaking on to a boat which had come in to re-supply those trapped on the vessel with food. Diplomats say he's now safe in a nearby village.

A number of Nigerians, two Britons and an Australian are being held on the boat, which has moored in a creek deep in the Niger delta, which is Nigeria's main oil producing region. All of the hostages are employees of the American oil company, Western Atlas.

Scores of villagers, some armed with machetes and guns, have had the house-boat surrounded for the last few days, but now, according to diplomats, some of the villagers have gone home. The oil company has been paying some of the hostage-takers, who are their own local employees, and this appears to have lessened the tensions.

The hostages themselves are still trying to negotiate their release with the armed villagers, who are believed to have a list of demands which include a lump sum of cash. Diplomats are hopeful that a settlement will be reached soon.

This is not the first incident of its kind to have taken place in the Niger delta. Earlier this year, more than a hundred employees of the Anglo-Dutch oil company, Shell, found themselves in a similar situation.

Many villagers in the Niger delta have no electricity or running water, in spite of the vast oil resources on their land. The economic decline Nigeria has suffered over recent years may be contributing to their level of frustration and their willingness to use force to achieve their ends.

Summaries

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