The Globe&Mail (Canada): Nigerian militants free Shell subcontract worker: “A Croatian subcontractor for oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell Group who was taken hostage by militants in Nigeria's turbulent oil producing delta was handed over alive yesterday, a government official said.” (ShellNews.net) 29 Dec 04
Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - Page B6
Lagos -- A Croatian subcontractor for oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell Group who was taken hostage by militants in Nigeria's turbulent oil producing delta was handed over alive yesterday, a government official said. Militants had snatched engineer Ivan Roso, who works for subcontractors Seabulk, while aboard a company vessel in the community of Amatu in the Niger Delta state of Bayelsa last week.
Bayelsa state spokesman Oronto Douglas said the kidnappers handed Mr. Roso over without asking for a payout. The group, calling themselves the Iduwini Youths, say they have resorted to kidnappings because they say Shell has failed to live up to a memorandum of understanding signed years ago that promised community development and jobs in tandem with the development of a nearby oil field. Reuters