Maltese delegation to extend stay in Nigeria

The Maltese delegation trying to secure the release of kidnapped oil worker George Scerri has extended its stay in Nigeria after he made fresh contact with his wife, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry told The Times.

Led by Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Cecilia Attard Pirotta, the delegation will be staying in Nigeria until Thursday in the hope of further developments.

The delegation left the island on June 1 and was originally expected to stay in Nigeria for a week.

Meanwhile, fresh contact was made between the Mr Scerri, 62, and his Nigerian wife Phina, who last month claimed his kidnappers had demanded one billion Nigerian naira - more than €5.5 million (Lm2.36 million) - from the families of the two kidnapped men.

Mr Scerri was kidnapped on May 23 with Pakistani Mohammed Asif, who also works for the oil company Lonestar Drilling. The two were seized in Omoku, outside the main oil city Port Harcourt as they were driving to an oil rig. Nigerian media reported that the two were detained by unknown gunmen, led to a waiting bus and then onto a speedboat and taken to an unknown destination.

According to the ministry spokesman, Mr Scerri, who was in contact with the oil company a few days after being kidnapped, contacted his wife again earlier this week.

The government has not yet confirmed the ransom request, although the authorities in Nigeria said they have spoken to Mrs Scerri.

Mr Scerri, originally of Birkirkara, is understood to have left Malta some 22 years ago and has been in Nigeria for around eight years. He last spoke to one of his children in Malta three weeks before he was abducted.