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Foreigners held by Nigeria gunmen Foreign hostages freed in Nigeria
(2 days later)
Gunmen in Nigeria have kidnapped three foreign construction workers in two separate incidents, police say. Two foreign construction workers have been released in Nigeria after being held hostage for three days in the oil-rich south-eastern Delta region.
The Dutch security manager of a German construction company was seized in the oil capital, Port Harcourt. The men, an Indian and a Lebanese, are being cared for by their employers, the Seratco road construction company, Delta's police chief said.
Later, two employees of a Nigerian construction firm - one Lebanese and one Indian - were taken from their workplace in the city of Warri. There is no news of a Dutchman abducted separately on the same day.
About 60 foreigners - mostly oil workers - have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta so far this year. No group has claimed the kidnappings, the latest to hit foreigners working in Nigeria's oil industry.
Speedboat attack About 60 foreigners - mostly oil workers - have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta so far this year, some by militant groups fighting for local control of the oil wealth.
The wave of attacks and kidnappings has led to a 25% cut in Nigeria's oil output.The wave of attacks and kidnappings has led to a 25% cut in Nigeria's oil output.
Speedboat attack
Gunmen kidnapped the Indian and Lebanese near Warri in Delta State on Friday, police said.
Oil workers under siegeOil workers under siege
The Dutch manager was reportedly seized at dawn by his abductors, who arrived on the waterfront by the construction camp in three speedboats. Brig Gen Alfred Ilogho, who heads a military task force in the Delta area, said the two men had been released because their abductors had been unable to take them further into local creeks, which had been blocked off.
No ransom was paid, he added, in remarks quoted by Reuters news agency.
A Dutch security manager of a German construction company was seized in the oil capital, Port Harcourt.
His abductors who arrived on the waterfront by a construction camp in three speedboats.
They are said to have exchanged heavy gunfire for several hours with guards before escaping with the man.They are said to have exchanged heavy gunfire for several hours with guards before escaping with the man.
In the second incident, two men who worked for Nigerian firm Setraco were taken from a construction site in Warri.
AP reports that the men were taken away by boat into the creeks and mangrove swamps that surround the city.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for either of the kidnaps.
A spokesman for the Joint Task Force in charge of policing the volatile region told Agence France Presse that troops had been deployed, "to hunt for the kidnappers".
More than 100 foreign workers have been abducted over the past year, some by militant groups fighting for local control of the oil wealth.
Increasingly hostages have also been taken by gangs of gunmen seeking ransoms.Increasingly hostages have also been taken by gangs of gunmen seeking ransoms.
As a result some oil and construction firms have pulled out and those that remain live under increasingly tight security.As a result some oil and construction firms have pulled out and those that remain live under increasingly tight security.