Robin Hughes is a British citizen who was kidnapped with Matthew Maguire on September 9, 2008, when the oil supply vessel they were working on was hijacked.SkyNews: Nigerian Militants Free British Hostage (April 19, 2009)

On April 19, 2009, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) released Hughes to the Nigerian military for "health and age considerations".SkyNews: Nigerian Militants Free British Hostage (April 19, 2009) BBC: Nigerian group frees UK hostage (April 19, 2009)

According to news sources, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) kidnapped Hughes and MacGuire, along with 25 others, including two South Africans and more than 20 Nigerians, from their vessel in the Niger Delta. MEND says it "rescued" the hostages from the hijacking of their ship and freed all but the two Britons. MEND planned to hold the two Britons until one of its leaders, Henry Okah, is freed.SkyNews: Nigerian Militants Free British Hostage (April 19, 2009)

MEND is Nigeria's most prominent militant group, responsible for the seizure of hundreds of foreigners from the Niger Delta since 2006. Most of the hostages have been freed after a few weeks, so the fact that MacGuire and Hughes have been held for over six months is unusual. Most of the kidnappings have been accompanied by demands for an increased percentage of the oil company profits; MacGuire and Hughes are being held to force the release of their leader Henry Okah. No ransom has been paid, but Hughes was released on April 19, 2009.Reuters: Nigeria militants free British hostage (April 19, 2009)

Henry Okah was arrested in Angola in September 2007, and was deported to Nigeria, where he is being held for trial. Okah is accused of 62 counts of treason, gun-running and terrorism, and faces the death penalty if convicted.Bloomberg: Nigerian Militants Preparing to Free British Hostage (Update3) (April 19, 2009)