Rechercher

/ languages

Choisir langue
 

Nigeria

Gunmen kidnap two French citizens

Article published on the 2008-08-04 Latest update 2008-08-04 13:52 TU

Two French citizens were kidnapped late on Saturday in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, local and French officials report.

Print the article

Send the article

Comments on article


The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner activated the ministry’s crisis unit on Sunday, confirming local reports that the pair were taken outside of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement assuring that French and Nigerian officials were working to free those seized “as soon as possible”.

Kidnappings have become more and more frequent in the Niger Delta where oil discoveries have pitted foreign oil companies and government officials in Lagos against local rebels who oppose oil extraction development.

Violence in the region has reduced oil production by a quarter since January 2006.