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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Foreign workers seized in Nigeria | Foreign workers seized in Nigeria |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Twelve workers, 11 of them foreign, have been kidnapped from a construction site in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta, a South Korean firm has said. | Twelve workers, 11 of them foreign, have been kidnapped from a construction site in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta, a South Korean firm has said. |
| At least five other foreign workers have also been abducted in the south from an Italian-run oil vessel. | |
| The kidnappings follow a warning from the militant group, Mend, that they would step up their attacks to show their anger at recent elections. | |
| Nigeria's oil output has dropped as foreigners are frequently kidnapped. | Nigeria's oil output has dropped as foreigners are frequently kidnapped. |
| Militant groups say they want a larger share of oil wealth for locals. | Militant groups say they want a larger share of oil wealth for locals. |
| Thousands of foreign oil workers have left Nigeria since the spate of kidnappings began early last year. | Thousands of foreign oil workers have left Nigeria since the spate of kidnappings began early last year. |
| Eight Filipinos, three South Koreans and a Nigerian were taken at gunpoint from the Afam power plant 30km (20 miles) north-east of Port Harcourt. | |
| Daewoo Engineering & Construction said the gunmen stormed the site near Port Harcourt at 0200 GMT and drove off with the workers. | Daewoo Engineering & Construction said the gunmen stormed the site near Port Harcourt at 0200 GMT and drove off with the workers. |
| Daewoo officials spoke of a 40-minute gun battle with security guards, but gave no details of casualties. | |
| The second abduction is reported to have taken place on an offshore oil production platform operated by Agip in Bayelsa State. | |
| If follows a similar incident there on Tuesday, when six foreign workers were kidnapped from an offshore Chevron-run installation. | |
| Elections | |
| The militant group, Mend, which says it wants a larger share of oil wealth for locals, claimed responsibility for Tuesday's incident saying in an email statement that their attack was to show their opposition to Nigeria's president-elect Umaru Yar'Adua and his deputy Goodluck Jonathan - the governor of Bayelsa State. | |
| Locals say they see little benefit from the huge oil industry | |
| Mr Yar'Adua won disputed presidential elections last month and is due to be inaugurated at the end of May, when President Olusegun Obasanjo steps down. | |
| "This attack is one in a series intended to embarrass the out-going regime. It is also a warning to the incoming government," the statement said. | |
| Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter but locals complain that little of the wealth reaches their communities. | |
| Mend are responsible for many of the attacks in the Niger Delta, which has seen a 20% drop in output over the past year. | |
| Few foreigners are badly hurt during the kidnappings and ransom fees are usually paid to secure their release. |