South Korean construction workers kidnapped in Nigeria

An unidentified armed group kidnapped nine South Korean construction workers and a local person in Nigeria today, the Foreign Ministry said.

The group was abducted early today, a Foreign Ministry official said.

South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering and Construction confirmed employees who had been working on a gas pipeline were taken hostage and said it was so far unclear what the abductors were demanding for their release.

The company was able to speak by mobile telephone with the workers after their capture and confirmed they were unharmed, Daewoo spokesman Song Sung-rak said.

South Korea’s YTN television said the kidnapping occurred in Bayelsa state, an oil-rich region that has been the site of past hostage-takings.