Content area
Full Text
On an early Saturday morning in May, Nigerian militants armed with machine guns and dynamite broke into the residence of a group of employees of Eleme Petrochemical. The gunman attempted to abduct 10 of the workers but after an ensuing firefight with soldiers that killed one civilian in the crossfire, eight of the workers were rescued. Ransom demands were issued for the remaining two workers.
The incident was another example of the escalating violence that has become all too common in Nigeria, particularly for oil workers. Since January, more than 100 foreigners have been kidnapped in the region, including more than 30 in one week alter perceived fraud in Nigeria's April presidential election sparked violent protests throughout the country. In most cases, the hostages were freed after their employers paid ransoms, however, some remain in captivity.
Tension in Nigeria, however, has much...