Two Thai Workers Captured As Hostages In Nigeria

[Jai Dee]

Two Thai workers captured as hostages in Nigeria

Two Thai workers, including their foreign colleagues are being held hostage in Nigeria.

The website of a group of armed militants in Nigeria says that its members had captured 2 Thais, 2 Egyptians, 3 Americans, a Filipino and a British as hostages. The 9 hostages captured are all workers of an American company named Wilbros.

A director of Shell -- the biggest oil hauler in Nigeria -- who wished to keep his name secret, said that Shell workers had been attacked and kidnapped earlier.

He revealed that the armed militants, approaching in 5 ships, attacked an oil tanker stationing in Forcados oil distribution centre at 0500 hrs local time or 1100 hrs Bangkok time. The casualties are still under serious assessment.

In another development, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sihasak Phuangketkaeo, said that he had acknowledged the matter and is now cooperating with the Nigerian government for an updated information.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Two Thai workers were kidnapped by armed militants in Nigeria, while the Foreign Ministry is following the situation closely to find ways to help the two laborers.

Two Thai workers were kidnapped by armed militants in Nigeria since February 18, while the Foreign Ministry is following the situation closely to find ways to help the two laborers.

Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Seehasak Puangkaitkaew (สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว) commented on the progress on the kidnapping of two Thai workers along with 7 other foreign workers that the ministry now know the names of the workers. He said that the two workers are Somsak Madmo (สมศักดิ์ มัดโม) and Arak Suwanna (อารักษ์ สุวรรณา). Both workers, both based in Bangkok, went to Nigeria to work for an oil company.

Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkol (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) has ordered the officials to contact the two workers’ families and coordinate with Nigerian government to secure the release of the two labors. Mr. Seehasak said that the Nigerian government has not been contacted by the armed group, but it expects that the group will contact the authorities for negotiations soon.

Mr. Seehasak also warned 20 Thai people living in Lagos to be more careful, following the incident.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Director-general of the Employment Office said two Thai workers kidnapped by a militant group in Nigeria were not hired through the Department.

Director-general of the Employment Office Jutatawat Intornsuksri (จุฑาธวัช อินทรสุขศรี) said that two Thai workers kidnapped by a militant group in Nigeria were hired by foreign companies directly, and not through the Department.

Mr. Jutatawat said that the two workers were hired by American New Bork International, which is a subsidiary of Shell. He said that the two workers are paid a high amount of money and are highly-skilled labors. He said that prior to working in Nigeria, the two workers hd worked in Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Mr. Jutatawat said that the Foreign Ministry and the Labor Minister are finding information to help the two workers. Currently, the Nigerian government has sent officials to trace down the armed militant group which abducted 9 foreign workers of Willbros Company yesterday. The abductees include 3Americans, 2 Egyptians, an Englishman and a Filipino, and two Thai workers. The Nigerian authorities are seeking negotiations with the militant groups to secure the abductees’ release.

All detainees are still safe, as the group is intending to use the hostages as their bargaining ship to pressure the government to declare oil-rich areas along Niger River as the group’s independent zone.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Diplomats have been sent to assist the effort of securing the Thai workers abducted in Nigeria

Foreign Minister Kantathee Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) disclosed that Thai diplomats have been sent to Nigeria to provide assistance to the two Thai workers being held hostage by local militants.

Minister Kantathee said Thailand already requested aid from the US government and US employer of the two Thai workers regarding the case. In addition, Thailand's ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Akkarasit Amattayakul (อักรสิทธิ์ อมาตยกุล), has already traveled to Nigeria to join the Nigerian government in negotiating the safe release of the workers.

The two Thai workers both work for the US oil services contractor Willbros Group. They were kidnapped along with 3 Americans, a Briton, 2 Egyptians, and a Filipino on Saturday by heavily armed militants during an attack on an oil terminal.

In response to the abduction, the Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand has given assurances that the Thai workers are currently safe. The Nigerian government is doing all it can to ensure the hostages are released promptly and safely.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi has denied rumors of a reported ransom demand for the release of the hostages.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Kantathi expects Thai hostages in Nigeria to be released soon

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) spoke about nine foreign workers who work for Wilbros, the US-based engineering firm. The nine workers have been abducted by the guerrilla fighters in Nigeria, and two of the hostages are Thais.

Currently, the Royal Thai Embassy to Kenya is cooperating with the President of Nigeria. A team of committee has also been set up to negotiate with the guerrilla fighters.

Moreover, the Thai government has requested the Royal Thai Embassy to Washington D.C. to cooperate with the U.S. government and Wilbros Company. The hostages are expected to be released soon without any violence.

Mr. Kantathi views that the issue is rather a political tension of Nigeria that does not want foreign companies to drill oil from its country.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Foreign Minister believe chances are high for the release of the 2 Thais taken hostage in Nigeria

Nigerian officials have disclosed that the Thai workers taken hostages by armed militants have been well-trained.

The governor of Nigeria's Delta State, whom had contacted the militia group, said that the 9 kidnapped foreigners have been well treated since their kidnap on Saturday. It was also noted that a doctor had been sent in to check on the condition of one of the hostages, an American, who had diabetes.

Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkol (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) said the probability of the hostages being released was very high, as there has been no call for ransom and the group had no history of using violence. The militant group is demanding development of the oil extraction area in Nigeria and protection of the environment in the respective site. Mr. Kantathi believe the negotiation for the release of the hostages is likely to succeed.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

[hopeless]

If anyones intrested in Negotiating with the terrorists you can get free calls to Nigreria if you look just to the right---->

[Jai Dee]

'I died and have been reborn,' says Thai hostage

BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - Two Thai oilfield construction workers released after being taken hostage by Nigerian ethnic rebels nearly two weeks ago are scheduled to return home Friday, as one of them regarded the release as a rebirth for him.

"I feel like I have died and been reborn," Somsak Mudmo told TNA by telephone from Nigeria on Thursday, expressing relief as being released from captivity.

However, he said he and other hostages were well taken care of by the rebels while being held.

Mr. Somsak and Arak Suwanna are among nine oilmen who were seized February 18 when armed militants stormed a pipe-laying barge operated by their employer, the US engineering firm, Willbros, during a series of attacks around Shell International's Forcados oil terminal.

The Nigerian separatist guerrillas released six of their nine foreign hostages on Wednesday.

"The first day of being held and taken to the camp it looked very dreadful I feared that I would definitely die," Mr. Somsak said, "but when I arrived there I felt relieved since they (the rebels) treated us well and looked very idealistic, not demanding a ransom but trying to achieve freedom from the (Nigerian) government," Mr. Somsak said.

He said the kidnappers, mostly in their twenties, were heavily armed, living at a camp in a forest swamp. The camp was fully equipped with comfortable facilities, including an electricity generator, bedrooms and a television set.

"They took care of us well. They held us hostage because the government bombarded their village," Mr. Somsak said.

Mr. Somsak said he wanted to return to work in Nigeria, saying that his career was there and he did not know what else to do.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Nigerian ambassador to Thailand Thompson Olufunso Olumoko, Mr. Somsak's wife Mrs. Pranom, and Mr. Arak's wife Mrs. Somsri told a press conference in Bangkok that the two ex-hostages would fly Emirates Airlines on a flight leaving Nigeria Thursday arriving in Bangkok Friday afternoon.

Dr. Kantathi said the release of the two Thais was a result of the coordination of the Thai government with many sides concerned including the governments of Nigeria, the United States, United Kingdom and oil firms in Nigeria.

The foreign minister said he telephoned his Nigerian counterpart Oluyemi Adeniji saying that Thailand would express its gratitude to the Nigerian government for negotiating the safe release of the Thai workers by offering Nigeria Thailand's help on environmental development.

In addition, to ensure the safety of the remaining 300 Thai workers in Nigeria, the foreign minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will open a Thai embassy in Lagos, the Nigerian capital, later this year.

______________________________________________________________________________

Two Thai ex-hostages in Nigeria to return home

BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - Two Thai oilfield construction workers released after being taken hostage by Nigerian ethnic rebels nearly two weeks ago will return to Thailand soon, according to the wife of one of the hostages.

Pranom Mudmo, wife of Somsak told reporters on Thursday that her husband telephoned her at 3am telling her that he and his colleague, Arak Suwanna had been released. He said he was in good health but must undergo a medical check-up before the Nigerian government will repatriate him and his work colleague, Mr. Arak, to Thailand.

The former hostage's wife told reporters that she was glad to hear the good news, especially so after many days of coping with stress. She said there had not been a single word about her husband's fate until this moment.

Mr. Somsak and Mr. Arak are among nine oilmen who were seized on February 18 when armed militants stormed a pipe-laying barge operated by their employer, the US engineering firm Willbros, during a series of attacks around Shell International's Forcados oil terminal.

Nigerian separatist guerrillas released six of their nine foreign hostages on Wednesday but warned that they would step up attacks aimed at shutting down the country's oil industry.

BBCNEWS Online website reported that five of them -- two Egyptians, two Thais and a Filipino -- were taken to the office of the state governor.

One American was released to journalists earlier, the report said, but another two Americans and one Briton are still being held.

The militants have been demanding a greater share of the region's oil wealth for the local Ijaw people, one of the minorities living in the oil-rich Niger River delta.

Their attacks have led to a 20 per cent drop in Nigeria's oil production and export.

The six hostages were brought in to the town of Warri in two batches, following their release earlier on Wednesday, according to BBCNEWS Online.

The militants also said they would not hand over the remaining captives, saying that they would remain as hostages until two ethnic Ijaw leaders are freed from jail and the oil giant Shell pays a hefty sum to compensate villages polluted by toxic contamination.

[astral]

It is a good job they did not want all the Nigerians held in Thai jails

released in return.

[Jai Dee]

Two Thai hostages released from Nigerian militants have safely returned home

The two Thais who were held hostage by a militant group in Nigeria have safely arrived back in Thailand.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathee Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) yesterday welcomed Somsak Madmo (สมศักดิ์ หมัดโม) and A_rak Suwanna (อารักษ์ สุวรรณา), the two Thais who were kidnapped and held hostage by a militant group in Nigeria. The two were warmly welcomed by their families and relatives, and both thanked the foreign affairs minister for his assistance in their return. The two also disclosed that they were not harmed during their time as hostages.

Both men however indicated they still wanted to work at the Willbros Group oil firm, and no Thai laborer in Nigeria has indicated their wish to return to Thailand at this moment.

Mr. Kantathee said he had coordinated with the Nigerian government, the American Willbros Group, as well as having had the Thai embassy in the US coordinate with Washington, in the effort of bringing back the two Thais, and he was very pleased to successfully secure their return.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 March 2006

[Misplaced]

It is a good job they did not want all the Nigerians held in Thai jails

released in return.

Pardon my ignorance, I haven't been back to LOS for many years, So you are saying there are many nigerain living and being held captive in jail? Typically what are their crime(s)?......Just curious.

After reading the Rebels dilemmas, I sort of feel sorry for them. Hope they get what they asked for.

[Jai Dee]

Update: Two Thai hostages who were released from Nigeria have thanked Foreign Affairs Minister for his assistance

Two Thai hostages who were released from Nigeria traveled to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thank Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) for his effort in brining them back to Thailand. They stated that they will be traveling back to continue their work within three months.

Mr. Somsak Madmo (สมศักดิ์ หมัดโม) and Mr. A _rak Suwanna (อารักษ์ สุวรรณา), the two Thais who were kidnapped and held hostage by a militant group in Nigeria, met with Mr. Kantathi and thanked him for all the assistances.

Mr. Kantathi welcomed the two Thais and had a talk with both of them. They were kidnapped and held hostage for 13 days. They were released due to the effective cooperation between the Thai government and the Nigerian government as well as the cooperation of Thai Royal Embassy in Nairobi and Willbros Group oil firm.

Mr. Somsak and Mr. A _rak also thanked related officials in the Foreign Affairs Ministry for their supports. They revealed that the company has given them a vacation to stay with their families and they will be traveling back to continue with their work later.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2006