Army hopeful of Nigeria releases
The head of the Nigerian military unit seeking the release of nine kidnapped foreign oil workers says there is no military solution to the crisis. Brigadier Gen Elias Zamani told the BBC that the government hoped mediation efforts would see their release soon. They were seized in the Niger Delta in one of a series of attacks by militants on the oil industry last week. The militants have been demanding a greater share of the region’s oil wealth for local Ijaw people. Their attacks have led to a 20% drop in Nigeria’s oil exports. Full Story