Sunday, April 22, 2012

Kidnapped Spanish doctor released in Nigeria

MADRID, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish doctor kidnapped in Nigeria on April 4 has been released, Spanish diplomatic sources confirmed on Saturday.

Jose Manuel Machimbarrena, who is 58 years old, was released on Friday and is reported to be back at home in the Nigerian state of Enugu in the southwest of the country.

He is said to be tired, but in good health after an ordeal lasting two and a half weeks.

It is still unknown whether a ransom was paid for the doctor, who has worked in Nigeria for over 30 years. Police are still searching for the kidnappers, who took Machimbarrena away from his car as he was returning home from the hospital where he works.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo expressed his satisfaction at Machimbarrena's release and highlighted the cooperation between Spanish and Nigerian authorities.

The kidnapping had been for economic rather than for political motives, he said.
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