Mend move: the Niger Delta militant group said today it planned to release Mathew Maguire, pictured right. Robin Hughes, left, was freed in April
Mend 'to free British hostage'
Nigerian militants the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) issued a communique today saying it was poised to release British hostage Matthew Maguire, who has been held captive for almost nine months.
In an email sent to Upstreamonline, Mend spokesman Jomo Gbomo said: "Today is Mathew Maguire's birthday. He has spent close to nine months in captivity and we hope to release him today as his gift."
Mend warned the military not to try to attack in an attempt to rescue Maguire, adding that the British High Commission had been informed of the group's intentions.
"His company may begin the process of receiving him tonight wheil e we make arrangements for a safe drop-off zone," the Mend statement added.
Maguire was one of 27 hostages taken from an oil services boat in September - all the other hostages were released.
The Nigerian military launched a ferocious assault on Mend camps in the Delta region about two weeks ago.
The campaign against Mend has focused on Delta state, while it is believed that Maguire is being held in Rivers state.
The British High Commission in Nigeria told the BBC it was "investigating" Mend's claim and would comment when they had more information.
British hostage Robin Hughes, taken from the same boat as Maguire, was released in April because he had fallen sick.
They were seized by a group of pirates operating in Nigeria's oil coast, who then handed them over to Mend.
The other hostages were released within days. Mend had said they would hold on to the British pair until Mend leader Henry Okah, currently facing the death penalty at a treason trial being held in secret, was released by the government.