Delegation leaves for Nigeria today

A Maltese delegation, led by Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Cecilia Attard Pirotta, is expected to leave for Nigeria today where it will work to try and secure the safe return of kidnapped oil worker George Scerri.

The delegation will be heading to Nigerian capital Abuja, were it will be meeting local authorities, the Italian Embassy and the British High Commission.

Mr Scerri and Pakistani Mohammed Asif, who both work for oil company Lonestar Drilling, were snatched in Omoku, outside the main oil city Port Harcourt, by unidentified gunmen on May 23.

His Nigerian wife Phina Scerri has claimed that the kidnappers have asked for a ransom of €5.5 million (Lm2.36 million) for the two men. The Maltese government has not confirmed whether a ransom request has been made. Last Tuesday contact was made between Mr Scerri and the oil company.