Terrorist’s Vow: No More Hostages, a Lot More Sabotage

New photos of three foreign hostages held by a Nigerian militant group were sent today to ABCNews.com and other news organizations. The three men, kidnapped last month from an AGIP oil facility, appear to be in good health.  A militant group called MEND, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, has taken responsibility for the kidnappings as part of an effort to drive foreign oil companies out of Nigeria. A fourth hostage was released last week following negotiations with the Nigerian government. THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS Photos What’s Leading to Terror in the Niger Delta? Brian Ross Webcast Terror: The Price of Oil in the Niger Delta Blotter More Hostages Taken in the Niger Delta Click Here to Ask Brian Ross a Question. An e-mail message from MEND’s self-proclaimed leader, who goes by the name of Jomo, vows the group will "change tactics, desisting from kidnappings and concentrate on acts of sabotage, including bombings, aimed at crippling the oil sector." Nigeria is the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to the United States, and U.S. and European oil companies have already begun to shut down operations in the wake of a campaign of violence and kidnappings.  Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage. MEND blames the exploitation and pollution of the oil-producing area on corrupt Nigerian officials in league with U.S. and European oil companies. Oil security analysts fear simultaneous attacks in Nigeria and the Middle East could drive the price of gasoline to $6 a gallon. Read the original investigative report about the Niger Delta.