Congress of the United States April 15, 2008 His Excellency Umaru Musa Yar'Adua President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Aso Rock Villa, Abuja Dear Mr. President: We seek your personal assistance to secure the release of the following U.S. citizens: Sandy Cioffi, Tammi Sims, Clifford Worsham, and Sean Porter, as well as the release of a Nigerian citizen, Joel Bisina, who was taken into custody with them. These U.S. citizens entered Nigeria legally on April 5 to complete a documentary film concerning the impact of oil production on the Niger Delta. They were detained by the Nigerian military on April 12 while in the Niger Delta region and later transferred from military custody to the State Security Service in Abuja, where they continue to be detained without charge. We are deeply concerned that these individuals have been held for so long without any apparent cause. We call on you to release this group immediately and urge you to ensure their full protection during their time in Nigeria. Sincerely, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell U.S. Senator Patty Murray U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown U.S. Representative Rick Larsen U.S. Representative Norm Dicks cc: Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders cc: Ambassador Oluwole Rotimi
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