14 oil workers abducted in Nigeria regain freedom

Fourteen oil workers who were abducted early this month in Nigeria's oil-rich Rivers State have regained freedom, a police spokesman said on Monday.

The victims were rescued unhurt on Sunday, more than two weeks after they were kidnapped by gunmen on Sept. 2, Nnamdi Omoni, spokesman of the police in Rivers State, told reporters.

The victims were seized by unknown gunmen while working along Elele-Omoku road which is more than 53 kilometers from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Omoni said the oil workers regained their freedom after security operatives engaged their captors in a fierce gun battle, which lasted for 90 minutes on Sunday morning.

"The hoodlums took to flight, abandoning their hostages," he said, adding efforts are being made to arrest and bring them to justice.

All the victims are in stable condition, he said. Endit