U.S. move to secure release of nationals kidnapped in Niger Delta
The U.S. government says it is working with the Nigerian government to secure the release of its nationals kidnapped after Monday's armed attack in an oil rig in Niger Delta. Philip Crowley, the State Department Spokesperson, told journalists in Washington D.C that the U.S. government was concerned about the safety of its nationals and hoped for their immediate release.
"We can confirm that of the seven individuals taken from a rig in the Niger Delta, two are U.S. citizens," he said. "We are working with Nigerian authorities to secure their prompt release and there's an investigation already underway."
Gunmen had attacked an offshore oil rig operated by exploration firm Afren, kidnapping five crew members including foreigners and injuring two others, the company said on Monday.
The attack took place on Sunday in the shallow-water Okoro oilfield off the Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on Tuesday morning, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Crowley confirmed that one of those wounded was also an American, and was currently undergoing treatment.
NAN
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