Nigeria in talks to free Filipino hostages

LAGOS, Jan 21 (Reuters) Nigerian officials have begun talks to secure the release of six Filipino seamen snatched from a cargo ship in the southern oil producing delta, authorities said today.

The talks started as Nigerian warships mobilised for a four-day exercise around the Niger Delta oilfields where militant attacks and kidnappings have hit production from the world's eighth largest oil exporter and forced thousands of foreign workers to leave.

''The six Filipinos are in good health and the government has made contact with their captors to ensure they are safe and to secure their early release,'' said Sheddy Ozoene, a spokesman for Delta State where the abduction took place.

Military and oil industry sources said yesterday that a Nigerian seaman was also among the hostages taken from a cargo ship operated by Germany's Baco-Liner.

The kidnappers have demanded the release of two jailed leaders from the delta -- Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor impeached for corruption, and Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, a former militia leader facing treason charges, Ozoene said.

The demands are the same as those made by another militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which is holding three foreign oil workers hostage since December 7 and whose attacks last February hit oil production.

MEND said it is already in talks with the government about releasing the two prisoners in return for freeing their hostages and halting further kidnappings.

But MEND has vowed to extend its attacks on oil facilities until the region gains full control over its oil wealth.

The latest incident brings to nine the number of foreign workers being held hostage in the Niger Delta.

NAVAL EXERCISE In response to rising violence, the Nigerian navy today mobilised warships for a four-day exercise off Bonny Island oil and gas export complex starting on Tuesday.

Military sources say 13 warships, four smaller boats and three helicopter gunships will take part in the exercise.

Dozens of foreign oil workers were kidnapped last year, militant attacks on oil facilities intensified and the region saw a surge in violent crime.

Ships entering delta ports are often harassed by pirates from local communities who demand protection money.

Three oil workers including a Dutch national were killed by armed robbers on their way in a boat to Bonny Island last Tuesday.

Militants want to drive out foreigners from the delta and gain regional control over its oil wealth. The situation is complicated by state and local government corruption which means much of the money meant for services and development is looted.

MEND on Thursday released a sick Italian oil worker who had been in captivity in the remote creeks in another part of the delta since Dec. 7 but said it would keep three other foreigners. All four work for Agip, a unit of Italian energy firm Eni.

Reuters DKA DB2011