Nigerian militants release German worker

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The military launched a crackdown on suspected militants in Nigeria’s restive, petroleum-rich south Friday as militants released another foreign hostage taken in a spate of kidnappings.

Soldiers could be seen entering some houses in the main Niger Delta city of Port Harcourt, detaining at least five people. The troops fired in the air, sending men and women screaming through the streets. Gunfire sounded for at least an hour.

“This is the beginning of something bigger to drive all the bandits from the state,” said Maj. Sagir Musa, a military spokesman. “It will continue. It is ongoing.”

Port Harcourt has been rocked by a series of kidnappings that has seen 15 foreigners seized in the streets or from nightclubs over the past two weeks. Ten have been released unharmed but five, including an American, remain unaccounted for. Hostages taken by militants looking for ransom are rarely harmed and most end peacefully.

AP