Militant youths agree to release hostages

The international oil company Royal Dutch/Shell told IRIN on Thursday that agreement had been reached with militant youths to release some 165 oil workers being held hostage on two rigs in the Niger Delta. “An agreement was reached yesterday and we anticipate that they will vacate the rigs today,” a company spokesman said. However, up to mid-afternoon on Thursday there was no confirmation that they had been freed. The Shell employees have been unable to move from their rigs since Monday, when about 40 youths arrived in eight boats and took them captive. A follow-up meeting with members of the local community, to discuss the youths’ demand of immediate employment with the contractors providing security and catering services to the oil company, will take place on 15 August, Shell said.