No breakthrough on abduction as delegation returns from Nigeria

The Maltese delegation that travelled to Nigeria to try and secure the release of kidnapped oil worker George Scerri has arrived back in Malta empty handed but efforts to free him are ongoing.

Mr Scerri, originally from Birkirkara, was kidnapped in Omoku, outside the main oil city Port Harcourt, more than three weeks ago. The last contact between him and his Nigerian wife Phina was made last week.

A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the delegation - led by Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Cecilia Attard Pirotta - has "established and maintained diplomatic contacts" with the Nigerian authorities as well as a number of European partners.

"Contacts have proven to be invaluable and the government is satisfied with the level of cooperation that has been forthcoming," the spokesman said.

He said the delegation also made contact with the Rivers State regional authorities and with Lonestar, the oil company that employs Mr Scerri and Pakistani Mohammed Asif, who was kidnapped in the same incident. Nigerian media had reported that the two were detained by unknown gunmen as they drove to an oil rig on May 23. They were then led to a waiting bus and onto a speedboat, and taken to an unknown destination.

The spokesman said regular contact was also maintained with Mr Scerri's family, both in Malta and Nigeria.

Although Mr Scerri's Nigerian wife claimed that his kidnappers had demanded one billion Nigerian naira - more than €5.5 million (Lm2.36 million) - from the families of the two kidnapped men, the government has not confirmed this.

"The government has not been involved in any negotiations regarding the payment of a ransom and is thus in no position to comment on the exact amount being demanded," the spokesman said.

Originally the delegation was meant to stay in Nigeria for a week but it extended its stay by a few days. The ministry will pursue its contacts in the African country in a bid to secure Mr Scerri's release, the spokesman said.