Wednesday, November 10, 2010
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Elite agents of the American Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are on their way to Nigeria to join the hunt for the abductors of two U.S. nationals. They were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen off the coast of Akwa Ibom state during an attack on an oil rig. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the agents, skilled in trailing and capturing kidnappers will work with Nigerian officials to secure freedom for the hostages and investigate the incident.
The hostages who work for oil services firm, Afren, were taken last Sunday. The company operating an oil has increased the number of those seized to seven .A spokesman for Afren said the company had confirmed two Indonesians were among those taken when gunmen in speed boats attacked the offshore rig.The attack happened about 12 kilometers off the coast of Akwa Ibom state. Afren had previously said only five people were kidnapped, and identified them as two Americans, two French and one Canadian. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The State Department said the Niger Delta is home to criminal gangs that steal oil and take hostages for ransom. Officials also said the region also has militants who claim they are fighting for a fairer distribution of oil wealth. It warned American nationals to take extra security measures and postpone all unnecessary trips to the region.
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