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YENAGOA, Nigeria (AP) - A foreigner taken hostage amid increased lawlessness in oil-rich southern Nigeria died of an illness Sunday while being taken to a hospital, community leaders said.
The man, whose nationality wasn't known, died after he had been released to state officials by the hostage-takers but before he reached the treatment center, said Joseph Benemiesia, a prominent community leader and member of a government team trying to calm the restive Niger Delta.
Some 150 foreigners have been taken captive this year across southern Nigeria, where the crude is pumped in Africa's biggest oil producer. About a half dozen are known to still be held.
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