Hostages released in Nigeria

Hostage takers tonight released a dozen foreign hostages in Nigeria’s restive southern oil heartland, officials said.

Officials showed the 12 liberated foreigners to reporters at the governor’s offices in the southern state of Bayelsa.

Militants earlier said they were planning to release 11 foreigners, including four Britons, three Americans, a Filipino, a South African and at least one Indian.

The discrepancy could not immediately be explained.