Things Turn Worse in the Niger Delta
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has said that it will kill 24 Phillipino hostages in its custody in 72 hours if its demands to the Nigerian government are not met. (There are differing reports of between 6 and 24 Phillipinos taken hostage from a cargo shup near Chanomi Creek, Warri). In response the Phillipino government has stopped the deployment of any more of its nationals to Nigeria until the government can guaraantee their safety. It's getting nastier by the week and I hope that the plight of the hostages will be resolved without more violence.