Warri, Nigeria ? Militants on Wednesday released six foreign oil workers, including a diabetic Texan celebrating his 69th birthday, who were taken captive last month to press fighters’ demands for a greater share of oil revenues generated in this restive southern state.

But three other hostages – two Americans and a Briton – were kept by militants from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. A militant spokesman said all “low-value” hostages taken Feb. 18 had been freed.

Those released Wednesday included Macon Hawkins of Kosciusko, Texas; two Egyptians; two Thais; and a Filipino. They were taken to the offices of James Ibori, governor of the Delta State.

Militants handed Hawkins to surprised journalists visiting the fighters in the creeks and waterways of the oil-rich Niger Delta. The reporters took the calm but bedraggled worker to the Nigerian military.

Hawkins said he celebrated his 69th birthday in captivity with a warm soda and was looking forward to cleaning up.

Hawkins said he bore his captors no ill will.

Hawkins and the other workers were seized Feb. 18 by militants from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.

The militants are demanding Nigeria’s federal government release two of their region’s leaders from prison and are seeking a greater share of proceeds from the oil pumped from their impoverished lands in southern Nigeria. The country is Africa’s largest producer of crude oil.