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Seized Nigeria oil workers freed | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Eight foreign oil workers, kidnapped by Nigerian militants, have been freed unharmed, an army spokesman says. | |
In the early hours of Saturday, a group of gunmen in a speed boat attacked a petroleum tanker on the Bonny river in the south of the country. | In the early hours of Saturday, a group of gunmen in a speed boat attacked a petroleum tanker on the Bonny river in the south of the country. |
Two people were shot and injured while eight oil workers, believed to include a number of Russians, were seized. | |
"They have been released," about 2030 (1930GMT), said Lt Col Sagir Musa. "I doubt any ransom was paid." | |
The nationalities of those seized have not yet been confirmed, and no group has claimed responsibility. | |
More than 200 foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta over the past two years but often released after payment of ransom. | More than 200 foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta over the past two years but often released after payment of ransom. |
It is believed the tanker which came under attack belongs to Global Gas and Refining Ltd, a Nigerian subsidiary of US-based Global Energy Inc, which has been stationed along the Bonny river for more than two years. | |
Lt Col Musa, military spokesman in the eastern Niger Delta, said earlier: "Around six heavily armed bandits attacked an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tanker, shot two civilians and abducted eight of the expatriates, whose identity is not yet ascertained." | |
He said the two civilians had been wounded but not killed during the attack, which took place between 0100 and 0400 (0000-0300 GMT). | He said the two civilians had been wounded but not killed during the attack, which took place between 0100 and 0400 (0000-0300 GMT). |
Late on Thursday, 12 people were kidnapped from a boat near the Niger Delta. Seven of them were later freed but five people remain captive. | Late on Thursday, 12 people were kidnapped from a boat near the Niger Delta. Seven of them were later freed but five people remain captive. |
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