The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has reported the capture by “a heavily armed auxiliary outfit operating off the Gulf of Guinea,” of two “high profile Americans” from an oil supply vessel off Brass, Nigeria.
A statement signed by Jomo Gbomo said the group made contact with MEND’s Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Delta to inform them of the seizure.

“The Americans will not be handed over for our direct custody but we will have the influence to visit them and ensure that they are well looked after until their subsequent release,” the statement said.

Gbomo said that the latest incident is to confirm to the world that accidents do not just happen “as the deceitful and corrupt government of President Goodluck Jonathan wants the world to believe.”

According to him, “Unresolved root issues compounded by the continued detention of Henry Okah, his brother Charles Okah and several others over false accusations as well as a monumental Niger Delta Amnesty fraud, can only make security and peace in the region an illusion.”
The statement did not make available any further information about the abductors or the Americans.