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Foreign workers seized in Nigeria Some foreigners freed 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. At least five foreign workers abducted overnight from an Italian-run oil vessel in Nigeria's lawless Niger Delta have been released, militants say.
At least five other foreign workers have also been abducted in the south from an Italian-run oil vessel and a Dutchman was taken from a bar in Warri. But 12 other workers kidnapped from a construction site and a Dutchman taken from a Warri bar are still being held.
A militant group says it will step up attacks in anger at recent elections when there was a lull in kidnappings. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said it was stepping up attacks in anger at recent polls when there was a lull in kidnappings.
Nigeria's oil output has dropped as foreigners are frequently kidnapped.Nigeria's oil output has dropped as foreigners are frequently kidnapped.
However, Nigeria's largest foreign oil producer, Royal Dutch Shell, say it is preparing to re-start operations in the Delta. However, Nigeria's largest foreign oil producer, Royal Dutch Shell, says it is preparing to re-start operations in the Delta.
Shell says that - despite attacks in Nigeria and low oil prices - its profits are up.Shell says that - despite attacks in Nigeria and low oil prices - its profits are up.
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.
IncidentsIncidents
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. The militant Mend group announced the release of hostages - abducted from an offshore oil platform operated by Agip in Bayelsa State - on Thursday afternoon.
"They have all been released within the last five minutes and are on their way to Port Harcourt," a militant leader, who used the name Jomo Gbomo, told Reuters news agency.
AFP news agency received the same information in an email from Mend, but there has been no independent verification of their release.
In a separate incident, 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.
Locals say they see little benefit from the huge oil industryLocals say they see little benefit from the huge oil industry
Daewoo Engineering & Construction said the gunmen stormed the site near Port Harcourt at 0200 GMT and drove off with the workers - including some senior executives.Daewoo Engineering & Construction said the gunmen stormed the site near Port Harcourt at 0200 GMT and drove off with the workers - including some senior executives.
Daewoo officials spoke of a 40-minute gun battle with security guards, but gave no details of casualties.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. There was an abduction on Tuesday, when six foreign workers were kidnapped from an offshore Chevron-run installation.
If follows a similar incident there on Tuesday, when six foreign workers were kidnapped from an offshore Chevron-run installation.
An unemployed Dutch oil worker has also been taken by armed men from a bar in the town of Warri, where he was watching football on Wednesday night.An unemployed Dutch oil worker has also been taken by armed men from a bar in the town of Warri, where he was watching football on Wednesday night.
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.
ElectionsElections
Militant group the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) says it wants a larger share of oil wealth for locals. Earlier, Mend 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.
It 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.
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.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."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.
Local analysts say many armed gangs were hired by politicians to help rig the recent elections and now they are over some appear to be getting back to their more traditional business of kidnapping.Local analysts say many armed gangs were hired by politicians to help rig the recent elections and now they are over some appear to be getting back to their more traditional business of kidnapping.
But the BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says there is another dimension.But the BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says there is another dimension.
Nigeria is in a period of transition and with a new government due to take over this month it has pledged to find a solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta.Nigeria is in a period of transition and with a new government due to take over this month it has pledged to find a solution to the crisis in the Niger Delta.
So many armed groups and their local political sponsors want to make sure they are seen as relevant to the success of that peace process, our correspondent says.So many armed groups and their local political sponsors want to make sure they are seen as relevant to the success of that peace process, our correspondent says.
Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter but locals complain that little of the wealth reaches their communities.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.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.Few foreigners are badly hurt during the kidnappings and ransom fees are usually paid to secure their release.