Maltese worker 'well treated' by kidnappers

Maltese oil worker George Scerri, whose month-long kidnapping in Nigeria ended this morning, had been held by a criminal gang which only wanted money and had no political intentions, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this afternoon.

He said the Maltese government had not paid any ransom, but he did not know what others could have done.

Mr Scerri was released at Bayelsa, several hours by car away from where he and a Pakistani colleague were seized on May 23 in Omoka. His release came two days after he turned 62.

Dr Borg said the two oil workers had initially been held in a room in an unknown location, and later in the jungle.

Mr Scerri was well treated and was in a good state of health upon release. He was picked up by officials from his employers, Lonestar Oil, who had been in touch with the kidnappers.

The foreign minister thanked Britain and Italy, whose diplomatic representation in Nigeria assisted a Maltese delegation which was there for two weeks. He also thanked Germany and Spain for having offered to help.