Kidnapped British oil worker freed
A kidnapped British oil worker has been released after nine months in captivity in Nigeria.
Matthew Maguire was said to be "safe" after his ordeal, which began on September 9 last year, when he and 26 other workers were taken from an oil supply vessel hijacked off the coast near Port Harcourt.
Most of the crew were soon freed but Mr Maguire, from Birkenhead, and fellow Briton Robin Hughes, 59, remained hostages of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend).
His release was confirmed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in a statement issued by 10 Downing Street.
Mr Brown said: "I am pleased to confirm the safe release of Matthew Maguire, the British oil worker kidnapped in Nigeria on 9 September 2008.
"This news comes a great relief to all concerned and I am glad that, for Mr Maguire and his family and friends, this ordeal is over. I should like to thank all those who have worked so hard on this case.
"We remain in close contact with the family and I urge the media to respect their privacy at this time."
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