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Nigeria confirms release of expatriate workers abducted by gunmen

Xinhua, June 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

Authorities in Nigeria on Sunday confirmed the release of five expatriates and two local workers who were kidnapped last Wednesday in Nigeria's southern Cross River State.

Cross River State police chief Jimoh Ozi-Obeh declined to give a detailed account of their release but simply told Xinhua the abducted workers were freed "unhurt" by their abductors.

It is still unclear if any ransom was paid to secure the release of the kidnapped victims.

The five abducted foreigners of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand nationalities, all staff of Machmahon Construction Company, were seized by gunmen at Edundun bridge in Akpabuyo area of Cross River State.

Macmahon Construction Company is one of the contracting firms to Lafarge Holcim Cement Company in Calabar, the state capital.

Abduction is common in Nigeria. Over 300 foreigners and ransom-able citizens have been seized in the Niger Delta since 2006. Almost all have been released unharmed after paying a ransom. Endit