Kidnapped British oil worker released

Hostage-takers today released a British captive, taken in a raid last month in Nigeria’s southern oil region, because the man was sick, officials said.

The Briton was snatched on January 23 by unknown assailants along with an American in the oil centre of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they worked.

A senior Rivers State official said the Briton was released because he had fallen ill.

The British embassy could not immediately be reached for comment.