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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK oil worker seized off Nigeria | UK oil worker seized off Nigeria |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A Briton has been kidnapped from an oil ship off the Nigerian coast, company sources said. | A Briton has been kidnapped from an oil ship off the Nigerian coast, company sources said. |
| The Foreign Office is investigating claims militants seized two expatriate oil workers - from the US and Britain - during an armed raid. | The Foreign Office is investigating claims militants seized two expatriate oil workers - from the US and Britain - during an armed raid. |
| A spokesman for Petroleum Geo-Services, based in Norway, has confirmed two of its workers have been taken. | A spokesman for Petroleum Geo-Services, based in Norway, has confirmed two of its workers have been taken. |
| Another unnamed official said they were taken from the southern coast by gunmen, who sped away in boats. | Another unnamed official said they were taken from the southern coast by gunmen, who sped away in boats. |
| Christopher Mollerlokken, spokesman for the company, which provides seismic data for the oil and gas industry, said: "We can confirm that a British national and an American national who are both employed by the company have been kidnapped." | Christopher Mollerlokken, spokesman for the company, which provides seismic data for the oil and gas industry, said: "We can confirm that a British national and an American national who are both employed by the company have been kidnapped." |
| It is not yet known whether the Briton is a man or a woman. | It is not yet known whether the Briton is a man or a woman. |
| A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that the British consulate is looking into reports that a British national has been kidnapped. We are unable to confirm any details at this time." | A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that the British consulate is looking into reports that a British national has been kidnapped. We are unable to confirm any details at this time." |
| Attacks common | Attacks common |
| Hostage-taking has become a lucrative business for armed groups in the region - an area of creeks and swamps about the size of Scotland. | Hostage-taking has become a lucrative business for armed groups in the region - an area of creeks and swamps about the size of Scotland. |
| BBC Correspondent Alex Last in Lagos said a number of different armed groups have taken hostages in the last few months. | BBC Correspondent Alex Last in Lagos said a number of different armed groups have taken hostages in the last few months. |
| Almost all have demanded ransoms for their release, sometimes in the form of compensation deals for local communities who feel short-changed by the oil companies operating in their area. | Almost all have demanded ransoms for their release, sometimes in the form of compensation deals for local communities who feel short-changed by the oil companies operating in their area. |
| He said: "Militancy has been on the rise in the Niger Delta. At its root is local anger at widespread poverty and pollution of their environment by the oil industry. | He said: "Militancy has been on the rise in the Niger Delta. At its root is local anger at widespread poverty and pollution of their environment by the oil industry. |
| "Out of this armed groups have sprung up, some criminal, some more political - often the line is blurred." | "Out of this armed groups have sprung up, some criminal, some more political - often the line is blurred." |
| He added that with elections approaching next year, many fear the violence is going to get worse. | He added that with elections approaching next year, many fear the violence is going to get worse. |
| In October four British oil workers were seized and later released after gunmen raided a residential compound housing expatriate staff. | In October four British oil workers were seized and later released after gunmen raided a residential compound housing expatriate staff. |
| The latest kidnappings come despite Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo promise in September to take strong action to curb the armed groups. | The latest kidnappings come despite Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo promise in September to take strong action to curb the armed groups. |