(SomaliNet) Nigeria’s notorious militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has received $545,000 for the release of three Italians and a Lebanese but has not released them. They received the money from Agip, the firm that the four work for. According to MEND, the money was given to the guards. “(This) involved paying 70 million naira ($545,000) to those supposed to be guarding the hostages for the hostages to be guided to a point where a boat was to be stationed to take them out of the creeks. A middleman brought 70 million naira to one of our camps where the attempt was immediately reported. Needless to say, the money has been confiscated and will be put to better use," MEND said.
MEND has already threatened to kill the hostages if any attempt to use money to secure their release is used. MEND has already made it clear that it wants the release of three imprisoned Niger Delta leaders in exchange for the hostages. The hostages have been in captivity since December 7th. This has attracted everyoneÂ’s concern, including ItalyÂ’s president. ENI CEO has also already met NigeriaÂ’s president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on the same issue.