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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Chinese workers seized in Nigeria | Chinese workers seized in Nigeria |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| At least three Chinese workers have been abducted in Nigeria's oil-rich southern region, police have said. | |
| A police official in Bayelsa state said the kidnappers broke into the offices of the Chinese National Petroleum Company, seizing hostages and cash. | A police official in Bayelsa state said the kidnappers broke into the offices of the Chinese National Petroleum Company, seizing hostages and cash. |
| About 100 foreign hostages, mostly oil workers, have recently been kidnapped in the oil-producing Niger Delta. | About 100 foreign hostages, mostly oil workers, have recently been kidnapped in the oil-producing Niger Delta. |
| Many Niger Delta residents live in poverty, and taking hostages for ransom has become increasingly common. | Many Niger Delta residents live in poverty, and taking hostages for ransom has become increasingly common. |
| Seven other Chinese workers are missing following the raid on the CNPC office. | |
| Hostages are usually released after a ransom is paid, though some have been killed in gunbattles between security forces and the kidnappers. | Hostages are usually released after a ransom is paid, though some have been killed in gunbattles between security forces and the kidnappers. |
| Several Philippine seamen and a British and an American oil company worker were abducted. | Several Philippine seamen and a British and an American oil company worker were abducted. |
| Five Chinese telecommunications engineers were released on Thursday after being kidnapped from the Niger Delta region on 5 January. | Five Chinese telecommunications engineers were released on Thursday after being kidnapped from the Niger Delta region on 5 January. |
| Thirty-two hostages from seven countries - the United Kingdom, the United States, China, the Philippines, Italy, Lebanon and Nigeria - are currently being held. | |
| The instability in the region has cut Nigeria's oil production by at least 20%, costing the country some $4.4bn (£2.2bn) last year, according to the government. | The instability in the region has cut Nigeria's oil production by at least 20%, costing the country some $4.4bn (£2.2bn) last year, according to the government. |