LAGOS, Nigeria – Rebels are claiming responsibility for the kidnapping and release for ransom of two American sailors off the coast of the oil-rich Niger Delta.
A statement purporting to come from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said Sunday that it received $2-million ransom for the sailors, mostly from Nigerian authorities.
U.S. officials identified the mariners as the captain and chief engineer of the U.S.-flagged C-Retriever offshore supply vessel taken in a Wednesday attack.
Analysts believe the militant group has lost much of its operational capability, but oil pipeline attacks and kidnappings are still common in the Niger Delta.
Almost all foreigners kidnapped are released once ransoms are paid.
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