Menu
06/07/2007
Captors threaten to kill British girl
The kidnappers of a three-year-old British girl in Nigeria have threatened to kill her unless her father agrees to take her place.
Margaret Hill, the daughter of an expatriate worker, was snatched from a car on her way to school in the city of Port Harcourt on Thursday morning.
Her father Mike Hill, originally from Murton in Co. Durham, has lived in Nigeria for ten years and runs a bar in Port Harcourt, while her mother, Oluchi, is a Nigerian national.
Mrs Hill told reporters that the kidnappers contacted her to demand a meeting in a town in the Niger Delta, before allowing her to speak to her daughter, who was crying. She said that the child had said she was only being given bread and water.
The kidnappers threatened to kill the child if her father did not come to take her place within three hours.
Mrs Hill said the kidnappers contacted her again after the deadline expired and said that one of them had demanded money, but did not specify how much.
The UK's Foreign Office has called for the "immediate safe release" of Margaret.
The British High Commission in Nigeria said that it was not yet clear who was behind the kidnapping of Margaret Hill.
However, kidnappings - usually of foreign oil workers - are common in the country, with many armed criminal gangs operating in the area.
The main militant group in the area, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) called off a month-long ceasefire this week.
The group is demanding to localize control of Nigeria's oil and to secure reparations from the national government for pollution caused by the oil industry and is regularly associated with the abduction of foreign oil workers and attacks on foreign-owned oil companies in the country.
On Friday, Mend sent an email to the AP news agency condemning the kidnap of Margaret Hill and offering to join in the search to find her.
It has been reported that agents from the State Security Services have arrived at the Hills' home in order to help begin negotiations to secure their daughter's release.
(KMcA)
Margaret Hill, the daughter of an expatriate worker, was snatched from a car on her way to school in the city of Port Harcourt on Thursday morning.
Her father Mike Hill, originally from Murton in Co. Durham, has lived in Nigeria for ten years and runs a bar in Port Harcourt, while her mother, Oluchi, is a Nigerian national.
Mrs Hill told reporters that the kidnappers contacted her to demand a meeting in a town in the Niger Delta, before allowing her to speak to her daughter, who was crying. She said that the child had said she was only being given bread and water.
The kidnappers threatened to kill the child if her father did not come to take her place within three hours.
Mrs Hill said the kidnappers contacted her again after the deadline expired and said that one of them had demanded money, but did not specify how much.
The UK's Foreign Office has called for the "immediate safe release" of Margaret.
The British High Commission in Nigeria said that it was not yet clear who was behind the kidnapping of Margaret Hill.
However, kidnappings - usually of foreign oil workers - are common in the country, with many armed criminal gangs operating in the area.
The main militant group in the area, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) called off a month-long ceasefire this week.
The group is demanding to localize control of Nigeria's oil and to secure reparations from the national government for pollution caused by the oil industry and is regularly associated with the abduction of foreign oil workers and attacks on foreign-owned oil companies in the country.
On Friday, Mend sent an email to the AP news agency condemning the kidnap of Margaret Hill and offering to join in the search to find her.
It has been reported that agents from the State Security Services have arrived at the Hills' home in order to help begin negotiations to secure their daughter's release.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 July 2007
Kidnappers free British girl
The three-year-old girl kidnapped in Nigeria has been freed. The British girl, Margaret Hill, was held for four days, but was released unharmed, despite threats by the kidnappers to kill the girl unless a ransom was paid or the girl's father took her place as their captive.
Kidnappers free British girl
The three-year-old girl kidnapped in Nigeria has been freed. The British girl, Margaret Hill, was held for four days, but was released unharmed, despite threats by the kidnappers to kill the girl unless a ransom was paid or the girl's father took her place as their captive.
16 August 2007
Nigerian Kidnap Girl's Father Dies
The father of the young girl kidnapped and held for ransom in Nigeria has died just four weeks after the ordeal. Michael Hill, 60, born in Durham, is thought to have suffered a heart attack. His family believe that it was brought on by the stress of his three-year-old daughter Margaret's kidnapping ordeal.
Nigerian Kidnap Girl's Father Dies
The father of the young girl kidnapped and held for ransom in Nigeria has died just four weeks after the ordeal. Michael Hill, 60, born in Durham, is thought to have suffered a heart attack. His family believe that it was brought on by the stress of his three-year-old daughter Margaret's kidnapping ordeal.
15 November 2013
Green Light For £4bn Investment In 140m Barrel Oil Field Development
EnQuest, the largest UK independent oil company in the UK North Sea, has given its go-ahead for a £4bn investment in the 140m barrel oil field Kraken development.
Green Light For £4bn Investment In 140m Barrel Oil Field Development
EnQuest, the largest UK independent oil company in the UK North Sea, has given its go-ahead for a £4bn investment in the 140m barrel oil field Kraken development.
05 June 2006
Kidnapped oil workers released
Eight foreign oil workers, including six Britons, who were kidnapped in Nigeria on Friday have been released. The six Britons, along with an American and a Canadian, were taken hostage from the Bulford Dolphin oil rig in the early hours of Friday morning.
Kidnapped oil workers released
Eight foreign oil workers, including six Britons, who were kidnapped in Nigeria on Friday have been released. The six Britons, along with an American and a Canadian, were taken hostage from the Bulford Dolphin oil rig in the early hours of Friday morning.
05 July 2007
Three-year-old kidnapped in Nigeria
Gunmen kidnapped a three-year-old daughter of an expatriate worker said to be British in the Nigerian oil city of Port Harcourt, according to a police spokesperson. The girl was snatched from the car in which she was being driven to school as it was caught in traffic.
Three-year-old kidnapped in Nigeria
Gunmen kidnapped a three-year-old daughter of an expatriate worker said to be British in the Nigerian oil city of Port Harcourt, according to a police spokesperson. The girl was snatched from the car in which she was being driven to school as it was caught in traffic.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
