Chinese workers abducted

2008-05-09 21:00

Beijing - Three Chinese construction workers have been kidnapped in southern Nigeria, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"On May 6, three workers from a Chinese construction firm were kidnapped in Cross River state," Qing Gang said in a statement.

"Currently, the Chinese embassy and consulate in Nigeria are exerting all possible efforts with the concerned parties to come to the aid of the kidnapped workers," Qing added.

According to the official Xinhua news agency, the three, who were employed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corp., were abducted on Tuesday near the company's compound in the state capital Calabar.

Chinese workers, employed in construction or by oil firms, have been abducted in the past and later released.

China, which has increased its presence in Africa in recent years, has never indicated whether it paid to secure their release.

In 2007, more than 200 foreign workers were taken hostage, often being released after a ransom was paid.

- AFP