Hopes for release of captive Wirral oil worker

Jun 2 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

In January, militants from the Mend released pictures of Mr Hughes and Mr Maguire, who were shown wearing shorts and flip-flops, looking dishevelled but not injured, in what appeared to be a thick forest.

The group said they would not be released until the Nigerian government freed the group’s leader, Henry Okah, who is currently being tried on charges of arms trafficking.

There have been hundreds of kidnappings in the southern Niger Delta in recent years.

Earlier this month Mr Maguire’s partner Emma Dean told of her fears he would miss celebrating his 35th with children Ellie, Charlie and two-year-old Matthew.

He missed Ellie’s 11th birthday in April. Charlie turns 9 on June 9.

Mr Maguire’s captors allowed him to write home for the first time in March – six months after he was abducted.