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Oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria Oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria
(about 2 hours later)
At least four foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in southern Nigeria's oil-rich Delta region, officials say. Five foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in southern Nigeria's oil-rich Delta region, officials say.
The workers were reportedly abducted near the Exxon Mobil oil company's offices in Eket town in Rivers state. The three Britons, one Indonesian and one Romanian were reportedly abducted near the Exxon Mobil oil company's offices in Eket town in Rivers state.
Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues.Oil workers are regularly abducted in Nigeria by gangs saying they want a bigger share of oil revenues.
With hostage-taking now a lucrative business, the BBC's Alex Last says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred. The BBC's Alex Last says the line between criminal gangs and political militants is often blurred.
Oil companies frequently strike clandestine ransom deals to free their employees, industry sources say.Oil companies frequently strike clandestine ransom deals to free their employees, industry sources say.
According to the Reuters news agency, two Nigerian civilian security guards were killed in the latest abduction.According to the Reuters news agency, two Nigerian civilian security guards were killed in the latest abduction.
The agency quotes an oil industry source as saying three Britons were among those abducted.
Earlier on Tuesday, at least five Nigerian soldiers were killed in a massive speedboat raid on a convoy of barges carrying fuel in the oil-producing Niger Delta.Earlier on Tuesday, at least five Nigerian soldiers were killed in a massive speedboat raid on a convoy of barges carrying fuel in the oil-producing Niger Delta.
Nine soldiers went missing in the raid, sources say.Nine soldiers went missing in the raid, sources say.
Some 25 Nigerian workers for the oil firm Shell were taken hostage, nine of whom have since been released.Some 25 Nigerian workers for the oil firm Shell were taken hostage, nine of whom have since been released.
The Nigerian government last month pledged to crack down on armed groups in the Delta and there are indications that the military is preparing to respond to the speedboat attack.The Nigerian government last month pledged to crack down on armed groups in the Delta and there are indications that the military is preparing to respond to the speedboat attack.
Last month, President Olusegun Obasanjo promised strong action to curb armed groups in the Niger Delta.