Italian Hostages Released in Nigeria

Militants on Thursday released two Italian oil worker hostages who were seized more than three months ago in Nigeria's restive southern region, militants and officials said.

The militants said the long captivity of the two Italians was meant to show Italy the injustice of their region, which remains impoverished despite its great natural resources. In a statement, they said they had achieved that goal, but vowed more kidnappings.

The Italians "will be replaced by other hostages who will again be taken off oil installations thought to be secure. We will attack such installations perceived to be secure to dispel the false sense of well-being gradually building up in the oil industry," the group said.