British oil worker Matthew Maguire who was held captive for nine months has been released from a Nigerian militant group.
Mr Maguire, from Merseyside, was among a group of 20 people taken when their oil supply vessel was hijacked in the Niger Delta back in September.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said Mr Maguire was released to authorities in Nigeria.
"MEND can confirm that Matthew Maguire was handed over to the Nigerian government officials at a secret rendezvous," the militant group said in a statement.
His family have been informed and have said he was safe and well.
The 35-year-old Briton was believed to have been held hostage by MEND for the longest period of time since the group began its campaign of violence against the oil sector three years ago.
More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, home to Africa's biggest oil and gas industry, since 2006.
Most have been released unharmed and relatively quickly after a financial settlement.
It was not clear whether a ransom was paid for Mr Maguire's release.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed the release in a statement which read: "This news comes a great relief to all concerned.
"I am glad that, for Mr Maguire and his family and friends, this ordeal is over."
Matthew's father, Bernard Maguire said he was ''delighted'' at the news
"Matthew's girlfriend, Emma, received a phone call from him earlier today," he said on Friday evening.
"He's out now and no harm has come to him, so it's a relief. Although he's lost weight, he's got no other health problems.
"We have been waiting a long, long time for this and we have been given so much false hope in the past."
His son was expected back in the UK on Sunday or Monday, he added.
British hostage Robin Hughes, taken from the same boat as Mr Maguire, was released in April because he had fallen sick, while other hostages were released within days.
Attacks by MEND have cut one fifth of the OPEC member's oil production in recent years to under 2 million barrels per day.
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