Nine months ago, Matthew Maguire was taken hostage by a Nigerian militant group that stormed the oil services ship that he and 26 others occupied. This was a routine activity for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, which opposes the Nigerian government and seeks freedom for those living in the area. Such hostage situations have proven an effective fundraising measure for MEND and similar groups, and hostages are now readily available due to the recent piracy boom. Hostages are so available, in fact, that MEND starts releasing members of a captive group before any demands are even considered by companies and governments.
Since last September, all but Maguire were released by MEND, each with a different justification. Greg Tomlin was let go because he hurt his leg. Walter Driggs said he missed watching 24 hour news, and Peter Cather said he was feeling seasick (he’s a freaking shipmate). Regardless, the militant groups holding these people are using any excuse to release them, indicating either blind humanitarianism or an ineffective business model.
Matther Maguire was released today because June the 1st is his birthday. MEND reportedly hung on to him for this long because his knowledge of traditional sea shanties kept the militants’ spirits high. Their tearful goodbye gives hope to the belief that pirates and sailors may one day live in harmony again.
