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Oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria Kidnapped workers 'still alive'
(about 7 hours later)
An Aberdeen-based offshore company has said it is doing all it can for three of its workers kidnapped in Nigeria. Contact has been made with three workers from an Aberdeen-based offshore company who have been kidnapped in Nigeria.
The men were in a residential compound near Port Harcourt in the Delta state when they were taken at gunpoint. The men were working in the Delta state when they were taken hostage at gunpoint on Tuesday.
Sparrows said it was working with police, security advisers and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).Sparrows said it was working with police, security advisers and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
One of the kidnapped workers has been named locally as engineer Paul Smith, from Peterhead. A Sparrows spokesman said: "Naturally we are concerned." The FCO said the Nigerian government had been in contact with the hostages and that they were alive.
One of the kidnapped workers has been named locally as engineer Paul Smith, from Peterhead.
'Essential travel'
The Sparrows employees were among several men abducted in the attack.The Sparrows employees were among several men abducted in the attack.
Essential travel
Sparrows said it was in constant contact with the families of its three employees who had been abducted.
A company spokesman said: "Naturally we are concerned for the safety of our own colleagues and that of other companies' employees who have been affected.A company spokesman said: "Naturally we are concerned for the safety of our own colleagues and that of other companies' employees who have been affected.
"We are liaising with the Foreign Office, local police and our advisers in Nigeria."We are liaising with the Foreign Office, local police and our advisers in Nigeria.
"We are in constant contact with the families in the UK and will be keeping them informed of developments.""We are in constant contact with the families in the UK and will be keeping them informed of developments."
There has been a wave of kidnappings of oil workers by militants in the country seeking ransoms. Victims are often being released a few days after being taken. There has been a wave of kidnappings of oil workers by militants in the country seeking ransoms. Victims are often released a few days after being taken.
The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to the area.The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to the area.