Militants challenge fed govt on kidnapping

THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) says they are surprised that the Federal Government was yet to link them with the worrisome spate of kidnappings in other parts of the country.

Their Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said in an on-line statement to our correspondent yesterday that they were very surprise that government has not yet indicted them for all the ''commercial kidnappings'' taking place in other parts of Nigeria.

''MEND wonders why the government and military have not yet blamed the recent spate of commercial kidnappings in other parts of Nigeria on Niger Delta militants who they falsely accuse for those carried out in the region just to give our legitimate struggle a bad name'', Gbomo said.

He also confirmed that they have released some of their British hostages, pointing out that the remaining hostage, Mr Macguire, ''will remain in our custody until further notice''.

According to him, ''we need to reiterate once again that no ransom was requested or received for this release even though we were asked to name our price by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe''.

Continuing, Gbomo said, ''MEND can confirm that the British hostage, Mr. Robin Barry Hughes regained his freedom about 1730 Hours on Sunday, April 19, 2009 after he was handed over to contacts who in turn handed him over to his employers.

''We did not hand him over to the military who might want to take some credit as they are considered our enemy and has not played any role in this transaction.

''The credit for this release goes to Henry Okah who requested that Robin be released on compassionate ground. Henry's message was delivered through a reliable source who we have no reason to doubt''.