Briton released, no ransom paid

2008-10-04 14:43

Lagos - A British national kidnapped this month in the southern Nigeria's oil hub of Port Harcourt was freed early on Saturday, a military spokesperson told AFP.

David Melford was released by his captors at around 04:00 and no ransom was paid, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Sagir from the paramilitary Joint Task Force said.

A British Foreign office spokesperson in London confirmed the release, saying Melford was "safe and well".

Armed militants have carried out a spate of kidnappings in Nigeria's oil-rich south, often targeting expatriate oil workers.

- AFP