Expatriate abducted in gunmen attack in Lagos: police

An expatriate was abducted by unknown gunmen in southwest city of Epe in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, local police said Wednesday.

State police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos told Xinhua that efforts were on to ensure the victim's release.

The expatriate, who was among the contractors from Granebury Construction Company handling a project executed by the Lagos State Government, was kidnapped late Monday while working on the site.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, also confirmed the incident.

"Yes, it is true. But we are working with the police to ensure he's released. The police will also issue a press release on the kidnap soon," he added.

Kidnapping, often for ransom, is one of the major security problems in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. Expatriates, whose firms can pay the ransom, are usually released by their abductors unhurt. Endit