Gunmen in the restive southern Niger Delta region, which has been hit
by a series of militant attacks on energy facilities since the start of
the year, have kidnapped 14 local oil workers and their driver, police
said on Saturday.
Kidnapping for ransom is a common problem in some parts of Nigeria
and the southern Delta energy hub has seen an increase in crime since
the start of attacks by militants calling for more oil wealth to go to
the impoverished region.
The abduction took place on a road connecting the towns of Omoku and
Elele, around 50 km (30 miles) from the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers
state, in the early hours of Friday as the employees of Nigerian energy
company Nestoil travelled to work, police said.
"We have recovered the vehicle they were travelling in before the
incident occurred. Police are currently combing bushes around the area
in a bid to find and release the victims," said Nnamdi Omoni of Rivers
state police.
"I do not think there was a foreigner among those kidnapped. Their
abductors have not made any contact and nobody has been arrested yet,"
added Nnamdi.
A spokesman for Nestoil could not immediately be reached.
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