Nigeria army frees more hostages, extends offensive

By Segun Owen

WARRI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian security forces freed three more Filipino hostages on Sunday and extended their offensive against militants to Rivers state where one rebel leader was shot dead, an army spokesman said.

The military began its biggest onslaught for years over a week ago, bombarding militant camps around the oil-city of Warri in Delta state from the air and sea before sending hundreds of soldiers to hunt down rebels believed to have fled into surrounding communities.

Helicopters and planes were used to survey the creeks and guide ground troops to try and flush out militants from remote communities around the port of Warri, a military spokesman said.

"A cordon and search operation ... has led to the rescue of additional three Filipinos," Colonel Rabe Abubakar, spokesman of the joint taskforce overseeing security in the delta, said.

He said the three, who were rescued in Oporoza community in Gbaramatu kingdom near Warri, were receiving treatment at a military hospital.

A total of 17 foreigners and four Nigerians have so far been rescued since the military began its campaign on May 15.

More than a dozen Filipinos were seized 11 days ago from an oil vessel in Chanomi Creek close to Warri.

In a separate operation, troops raided a militant hideout in Abonnema, about 30 km (19 miles) west of the oil hub of Port Harcourt, the southern delta's main city.