ABDUCTORS RELEASE HOSTAGES IN NIGER DELTA =

EIGHT NIGERIAN SOLDIERS AND 16 EMPLOYEES OF ITALIAN
OIL GIANT, AGIP, TAKEN HOSTAGE LAST WEDNESDAY IN THE TOWN OF
OGBOINBIRI IN BAYELSA STATE IN THE NIGER DELTA, WERE RELEASED SUNDAY
UNHARMED, DPA REPORTED.
YOUTHS IN THE RESTIVE TOWN STORMED THE AGIP FLOW STATION LAST
WEDNESDAY TO FORCE THE ITALIAN FIRM TO HONOUR A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING SIGNED WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR YOUTHS OF
THE AREA.
THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES FOLLOWED SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS
BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY, THE BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT AND AGIP, A STATE
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAID SUNDAY.
HE SAID AGIP AGREED DURING NEGOTIATIONS TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE
OGBOINBIRI COMMUNITY, ADDING THAT FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE HELD
THIS WEEK BETWEEN THE THREE TO FIND A LASTING AND PERMANENT SOLUTION.
THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF JOBS FOR
ITS YOUTHS BY AGIP AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ITS INDIGENT STUDENTS.