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Abduction - Don't Go to Nigeria, Arroyo Tells Filipinos

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
January 23, 2007
Posted to the web January 23, 2007

By Chika Amanze-Nwachuku
Lagos
Philippine President, Gloria Arroyo yesterday ordered a temporary ban on the
deployment of Filipino workers to Nigeria.
The directive which came on the day five released Chinese telecom workers
arrived Beijing, was sequel to the abduction last weekend of six Filipino crew
members of a cargo ship by a militant group in the Niger Delta.
A statement by presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye explained that the order
was for safety reasons. "The President has ordered a temporary halt to
deployment to Nigeria until the security of our nationals is guaranteed,"
The country's Foreign Affairs Department has called for an immediately release
of the abductees, saying they were not engaged in political matters.
The foreign affairs spokesman, Ed Malaya, confirmed that some 3,900 Filipinos
were employed in Nigeria at the end of 2006.
The abductors were said to have forced the six crew members off the German-
operated cargo ship while it was sailing en route the port town of Warri in
Delta State.
The incident happened last Saturday morning at Okerenkoko and the vessel was a
cargo ship operated by Baco Liner company.
"The Philippine embassy has dispatched two embassy officers to proceed to
Warri", adding that the ministry "is also in the process of contacting the ship
owners, who are based in the United Arab Emirates."
Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, who was immediately alerted has
intervened in the matter with a view to ensuring the safe release of the
abductees.
"We understand they are okay, Governor Ibori is already intervening in the
matter. There were 14 crew members on board but only six were taken," said
government spokesperson, Sheddy Ozoene.
"The vessel is still being held with six Filipinos in it", he added.
Last Saturday abduction is the latest in a series of kidnappings by Niger Delta
militants. Last year alone, more than 60 foreigners, mostly oil workers were
kidnapped and dozens of Nigerians were killed by the militants.
Only last week, the five released Chinese telecom workers, who were taken
hostage on January 5, in Rivers State were released. They arrived Beijing
yesterday. Receiving the freed hostages, Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Quan,
said China's communist Party leaders were concerned about the safety of the
workers.
It would be recalled that most oil companies operating in the region have since
last September commenced relocation of families of their expatriate workers
citing security reasons.


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