Gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped three British workers and one Colombian today in an attack on their convoy near the oil hub Port Harcourt.
A Nigerian security officer was killed in the incident, which occurred as the expatriates travelled to work. No group has claimed responsibility.
"The abduction took place early this morning and four expatriates were taken, but we don't have any more details now," said Ibim Semenitari, spokeswoman for the Rivers State government.
Kidnappings for ransom are common in the oil-producing Niger Delta with hundreds of incidents reported each year. Most victims are released unharmed after a couple of days.
A spokeswoman with Royal Dutch Shell said the expatriates, employed by Netco Dietsmann, were working as contractors for Shell at the Afam power plant.
"SPDC [Shell Petroleum Development Company] is cooperating with the government and the contractor, and supporting efforts for their safe release," she said.
Residents in Port Harcourt say violent crimes have become more common recently and blame former militants, who left the creeks of the Niger Delta as part of an amnesty offer that ended last October.
The amnesty offer is the most serious attempt yet to end years of unrest in the Niger Delta, where armed gangs have blown up pipelines and kidnapped foreign oil workers to push what they say are demands for a fairer share of the natural wealth.
Reuters
