LAGOS, March 1 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. oil hostage Macon Hawkins, who turned 69 on Wednesday, has been released after being held captive by militants for 11 days in Nigeria's oil-rich south, his abductors said.

    "He was released on account of his age and poor health with a stern warning not to return to the Niger Delta unless as a visitor. If he heeds this warning is entirely up to him." said the Jomo Gbomo, a self-described spokesman for the militants, in an email statement to Xinhua.

    Hawkins, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, had reportedly said he wanted "freedom" as his birthday gift when the militants displayed him before reporters on the Escravos River in southern Nigeria last week.

    Gbomo said the American was released to a group of foreign journalists found to be touring the Niger Delta, where the majority of Nigeria's daily output of 2.5 million barrels of oil is produced.

    "No ransom for him or any other hostage has been demanded or received," he said.

    Hawkins and the remaining eight hostages, including two Americans, two Egyptians, two Thais, one Briton and one Filipino, were seized on February 18 by the militants belonging to the self-styled Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

    "We are also considering the release of the Thai, Egyptian and Filipino hostages as well. Their countries do not have interests in the Nigerian oil industry," Gbomo added. Enditem