Militants released 10 Indian hostages in Nigeria's oil-producing delta as thousands welcomed the return of a rebel leader to the region's capital on Saturday.
The release of the Indians after more than two weeks in captivity is the latest sign of easing tensions in the Niger Delta, a vast wetlands region where militant attacks and kidnappings have crippled Africa's largest oil industry.
The Indians, including at least three senior executives of Indonesian petrochemical company Indorama and some family members, were abducted by gunmen from their residence on June 1. "The Indorama hostages were released last night by the militants. Right now they are with their employer. They are 10 in all and in high spirits," said army spokesman Sagir Musa.
A security official with an oil company in the region said the captors freed them in response to Thursday's release on bail of former militia leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who arrived back in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
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