Three Britons, One Colombian Kidnapped, One Nigerian Killed

San Francisco Jan 12, (THEWILL) - Three Britons and one Colombian were seized at gunpoint at Owaza Junction in Abia State on their way to work at Shell’s Afam VI power plant near Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A Nigerian security personnel who was accompanying them was also reportedly shot dead while the driver of their vehicle was injured during the incident. No group has claimed responsibility.

The incident is coming after unidentified persons blew up a Chevron pipeline in Delta State over the weekend.

A British Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed to the Associated Press that the men kidnapped are contractors working for Shell. The names of the Britons are: John Bennet, Martin Phillip and Kevin Gray, while the Colombian is Fabien Sanchez. THEWILL could not verify the name of the Security officer killed as at the time of going to Press.

She said: "We are aware of the reports that three British nationals have been kidnapped in Nigeria and are urgently investigating these claims."

Rivers State police spokeswoman, Rita Abbey also told the Associated Press that the police had launched a manhunt in and around the town.

The abduction of foreigners in the Niger Delta is at an all time low even with the current incident. The amnesty programme introduced by the federal government in the area helped reduce the kidnaps, violence and attacks on oil installations.

The people of the area have recently expressed concern over the delay of developmental projects promised by the government as part of the amnesty deal.

On December 19, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, a militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on a major pipeline in Abonema, Rivers State belonging to one of the oil majors in the country.