Following the abduction of eight foreign nationals near Warri in the Niger Delta region of south-eastern Nigeria on 11 November 1998, the South African High Commission today confirmed that Mr Gideon du Toit is the South African national in the group.
The High Commission also confirmed that the incident took place on a Texaco oil rig, when a group from the Kefe Oil River Community abducted the hostages and made demands relating to social conditions of the community. A negotiating team from the Bayelsa State local government and Texaco Oil are currently in discussions with the abductors in an effort to seek an early release of the hostages.
Initial reports suggest that the hostages are being held in reasonable conditions and they have not been harmed. An update of the negotiations will be released as soon as information comes to hand.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 13 NOVEMBER 1998