Dutch men released

Niger Delta, Nigeria - Niger Delta gunmen have released
three Dutch nationals who were abducted a week
earlier, the Dutch foreign ministry confirmed on
Sunday.

"I can confirm they have been freed," said
ministry spokesman Johanne Doornewaard,
adding that they were in good health.
He said he had "no information" on whether any
ransom was paid for the release of the trio.

Earlier a Nigerian activist who had accompanied
the trio had announced their release.
Amsterdam-based environmental activist Sunny
Ofehe and the two Dutch men and one woman,
were seized last Sunday after armed men in a
dinghy stormed their boat.

The group, which included another Netherlands-
based Nigerian, were blindfolded and eventually
taken to an unknown location where the two
Nigerians were released.

"I just want to inform everyone that they are free,
and that they are safe and in good health," Ofehe
told Dutch broadcaster NOS TV.
The Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said the
released hostages were still in Nigeria and that
the Dutch ambassador had been sent to the Delta
region to meet them.

Dutch printing company Gerrits & Leffers had
confirmed that two of its employees were among
those abducted and that the pair were in Nigeria
to help Niger Delta peace activists publish a
magazine.

The third Dutch national was a documentary
filmmaker, NOS TV reported, and the group was
en route to visit a hospital financed by oil
company Chevron when the kidnapping took
place.