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Matthew Maguire Released by Nigerian Militants After 9 Months

by Jarrett Martineau | June 12, 2009 at 09:46 am

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Matthew Maguire, a British man who had been held hostage by Nigerian militants for more than nine months, has finally been freed.

The group responsible for his abduction, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), emailed media on Friday to indicate that Maguire, a former oil worker, "was handed over to the Nigerian government officials at a secret rendezvous and is currently in the city of Port Harcourt in Rivers state".

The UK government demanded Mr. Maguire’s release after MEND failed to release him as had previously been planned on June 1st and June 9th.

Maguire will now undergo a medical assessment before being reunited with his family.

“He’s definitely out now,” his father, Bernard, told the BBC. “He’s out and no harm’s done to him, it’s just a relief to everyone... where he’s been has been quite rough and tough."

He added that Matthew’s girlfriend had spoken to him and he was now expected to undergo a medical with his company.

PREVIOUSLY | June 1, 2009 — In a statement released by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), sent by e-mail, the group indicated that Mr. Maguire would be freed on June 1, as it is Maguire's birthday.

The British High Commission is investigating and has indicated that they will comment when they have obtained further information.

Mr. Maguire is the last remaining hostage from a group of 27 people that were "taken from an oil services boat in September" off the coast of Nigeria.

There has been fierce fighting in recent weeks between Mend and the army.

This has mostly been in Delta State, while it is believed that Mr Maguire is being held in Rivers State.

"Today, June 1 is Mathew Maguire's birthday. He has spent close to 9 months in captivity and we hope to release him today as his gift," Mend said in a statement from their pseudonymous spokesman Jomo Gbomo.