LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - The freeing of 19 foreign and local hostages taken from oil facilities in the Niger Delta region is a turning point for Nigeria's security, a presidential aide said on Thursday pledging more tough government actions.
"Criminal elements who attack oil installations and kidnap individuals for personal reasons will not be tolerated," President Goodluck Jonathan's aide Hassan Tukur told Reuters.
"He (Jonathan) is strong... It (freeing of hostages) is a turning point. Anyone who thinks they can hold the government hostage should rethink," he added.
Nigeria's military rescued 19 hostages including foreigners being held by militants in the Niger Delta oil region in a land, air and sea operation on Wednesday [ID:nLDE6AG2AF] and the release is seen as a boost for Jonathan ahead of elections next April.
(Reporting by Emma Farge, writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; editing by Keiron Henderson)
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