Nigerian militants free UK hostage

By Austin Ekeinde

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - A Nigerian militant group said on Friday it had freed a British oil worker held captive for nine months in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said Matthew Maguire was released to authorities in Nigeria's oil hub Port Harcourt in Rivers state.

"MEND can confirm that Matthew Maguire was handed over to the Nigerian government officials at a secret rendezvous," the militant group said in a statement.

The British government confirmed Maguire's release.

"This ordeal is over," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a statement.

Maguire was among more than 20 people taken when their oil supply vessel was hijacked on September 9 in the Niger Delta, home to Africa's biggest oil and gas industry. All except Maguire were freed months ago.

The Briton was believed to have been held hostage by MEND longer than any other foreign captive since the group began its campaign of violence against the oil sector three years ago.

More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta since 2006. Most have been released unharmed and relatively quickly after a financial settlement.