LAGOS, Nigeria - Gunmen kidnapped a Lebanese worker Wednesday in Nigeria's restive southern oil region, the latest in a string of attacks across the increasingly lawless area, police said. The man, whose name was not released, was working on a construction project in Rivers State when he was seized, Police Commissioner Felix Ogbaudu said by telephone. More than 60 foreigners have been kidnapped this year in the oil-rich delta region — nearly equaling the 2006 total. Hostages are generally released unharmed after a ransom is paid.
With Wednesday's kidnapping, eight foreigners are known to be held in the swampy region the size of Connecticut.
Militants behind a year of attacks say they're trying to force the federal government to give the Niger Delta more control over oil revenues and release two leaders imprisoned on corruption or treason charges. However, copycat criminals seeking only ransom appear to be behind much of the recent upsurge in violence.
Production in Africa's largest oil exporter has been cut by nearly a quarter over the past year as militants target foreign workers and oil infrastructure.
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LAGOS, Nigeria - Gunmen kidnapped a Lebanese worker Wednesday in Nigeria's restive southern oil region, the latest in a string of attacks across the increasingly lawless area, police said. The man, whose name was not released, was working on a construction project in Rivers State when he was seized, Police Commissioner Felix Ogbaudu said by telephone. More than 60 foreigners have been kidnapped this year in the oil-rich delta region — nearly equaling the 2006 total. Hostages are generally released unharmed after a ransom is paid.
