Police in southwest Nigeria on Sunday warned foreign nationals to be vigilant days after gunmen kidnapped two Indian workers in the region.

Gunmen seized the two men on Wednesday as they drove out of a pharmaceutical firm in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state. They out the rear tyres of their vehicle to force it to stop. 
 
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State police spokesman Olugbenga Fadeyi said in a statement the force was making a "concerted effort" to find and rescue them but did not say if the kidnappers had made contact with the families.

"All expatriates are advised to be vigilant and be watchful especially during this period," he said.

Security agencies should be alerted about "any suspicious movement around their facilities", he added.

Hundreds of Indian nationals live and work in Nigeria, especially in the pharmaceutical sector.

Kidnapping for ransom targeting foreigners and prominent Nigerians is common in Africa's most populous nation.

The victims are usually released unhurt after ransom payments, but the police rarely confirm any money was paid.

Police in southwest Nigeria on Sunday warned foreign nationals to be vigilant days after gunmen kidnapped two Indian workers in the region. Gunmen seized the two men on Wednesday as they drove out of a pharmaceutical firm in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state.

Police in southwest Nigeria on Sunday warned foreign nationals to be vigilant days after gunmen kidnapped two Indian workers in the region. Gunmen seized the two men on Wednesday as they drove out of a pharmaceutical firm in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state. They out the rear tyres of their vehicle to force it to stop. Also Read | Boko Haram Jihadists kill 27 in attack in Niger State police spokesman Olugbenga Fadeyi said in a statement the force was making a "concerted effort" to find and rescue them but did not say if the kidnappers had made contact with the families. "All expatriates are advised to be vigilant and be watchful especially during this period," he said. Security agencies should be alerted about "any suspicious movement around their facilities", he added. Hundreds of Indian nationals live and work in Nigeria, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. Kidnapping for ransom targeting foreigners and prominent Nigerians is common in Africa's most populous nation. The victims are usually released unhurt after ransom payments, but the police rarely confirm any money was paid.

Two Indians kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria: Police 

New Delhi: Almost around a month after 7 Indians were kidnapped in Libya, they were freed on Sunday. Indian envoy to Tunisia Puneet Roy Kundal played a key role in negotiations, leading to the release of the Indian nationals. The negotiations were complex given the fact 2 parallel governments were involved.&nbsp;

India does not have a working mission in Libya and to tackle the current situation, an Indian mission in neighbouring Tunisia is dealing with the affairs.

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The Indians are currently in Brega town, which is the centre of the country's second-largest hydrocarbon complex. They hail from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and were kidnapped at a place called Asshwerif in Libya on September 14. They were working at a construction and oil field supplies company and were kidnapped on their way to the Tripoli airport to catch a flight to India.

For local coordination, Tabassum Mansoor, Principal of Indian International School, Benghazi was appointed by the Indian Embassy in Tunisia. Mansoor who has been living in Libya for last 40 years, on the instructions of the Indian Envoy Kundal was in constant touch with all the Libyan authorities especially the company manager and other key players almost on a daily basis.&nbsp;

India in September 2015 issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Libya in view of the security situation there. Later, in May 2016, the government imposed a complete travel ban irrespective of the purpose in view of the deteriorating security situation. The travel ban remains in force.

 
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New Delhi: Almost around a month after 7 Indians were kidnapped in Libya, they were freed on Sunday. Indian envoy to Tunisia Puneet Roy Kundal played a key role in negotiations, leading to the release of the Indian nationals.

New Delhi: Almost around a month after 7 Indians were kidnapped in Libya, they were freed on Sunday. Indian envoy to Tunisia Puneet Roy Kundal played a key role in negotiations, leading to the release of the Indian nationals. The negotiations were complex given the fact 2 parallel governments were involved. India does not have a working mission in Libya and to tackle the current situation, an Indian mission in neighbouring Tunisia is dealing with the affairs. Also read | Protesters set government building on fire in eastern Libya The Indians are currently in Brega town, which is the centre of the country's second-largest hydrocarbon complex. They hail from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and were kidnapped at a place called Asshwerif in Libya on September 14. They were working at a construction and oil field supplies company and were kidnapped on their way to the Tripoli airport to catch a flight to India. For local coordination, Tabassum Mansoor, Principal of Indian International School, Benghazi was appointed by the Indian Embassy in Tunisia. Mansoor who has been living in Libya for last 40 years, on the instructions of the Indian Envoy Kundal was in constant touch with all the Libyan authorities especially the company manager and other key players almost on a daily basis. India in September 2015 issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Libya in view of the security situation there. Later, in May 2016, the government imposed a complete travel ban irrespective of the purpose in view of the deteriorating security situation. The travel ban remains in force.

Kidnapped in September, 7 Indian hostages in Libya freed

A city engineer and his wife are among the 18 Indians who have been kidnapped by pirates near the western coast of Nigeria earlier this week.

Vijay Tiwari, who is an engineer with Merchant Navy, and his wife Anju were kidnapped by pirates when they were onboard a Hong Kong-flagged vessel on December 3, his family said.

"Vijay's company informed us that he had been kidnapped. They said they were trying to rescue them but then nothing happened. After that, we contacted the media and the district magistrate," SP Udhadhyay, a family member said.

Speaking to ANI, ASP Praful Thakur said that Tiwari was employed with a shipping company in Nigeria, and added that the administration was working for his early rescue.

"We are taking this matter very seriously. Higher authorities are ensuring assistance to the family. The SSP has spoken to the family members. We will provide them every possible support," Thakur said.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhaghel also spoke to Vijay's younger brother over the phone and assured him of all possible help from the state government.

"I told him that state officials were in regular touch with officers of the External Affairs Ministry for an early rescue," Baghel said.

Responding to reports of the kidnapping on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the ministry is working closely with the Nigerian authorities in this regard.

"On December 3, 18 Indian national crew members were abducted from the ship 'Nave Constellation'&nbsp;at high seas near Nigeria. We are working closely with the Nigerian authorities," the MEA spokesperson said.

The pirates managed to board the vessel and kidnap 19 crew members before escaping. The 19 seafarers comprised 18 Indian nationals and one Turkish national.The vessel is now said to be safe and under the escort of the Nigerian Navy. The whereabouts and details of crew members are yet to be ascertained. 
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A city engineer and his wife are among the 18 Indians who have been kidnapped by pirates near the western coast of Nigeria earlier this week. Vijay Tiwari, who is an engineer with Merchant Navy, and his wife Anju were kidnapped by pirates when they were onboard a Hong Kong-flagged vessel on December 3, his family said.

A city engineer and his wife are among the 18 Indians who have been kidnapped by pirates near the western coast of Nigeria earlier this week. Vijay Tiwari, who is an engineer with Merchant Navy, and his wife Anju were kidnapped by pirates when they were onboard a Hong Kong-flagged vessel on December 3, his family said. "Vijay's company informed us that he had been kidnapped. They said they were trying to rescue them but then nothing happened. After that, we contacted the media and the district magistrate," SP Udhadhyay, a family member said. Speaking to ANI, ASP Praful Thakur said that Tiwari was employed with a shipping company in Nigeria, and added that the administration was working for his early rescue. "We are taking this matter very seriously. Higher authorities are ensuring assistance to the family. The SSP has spoken to the family members. We will provide them every possible support," Thakur said. Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhaghel also spoke to Vijay's younger brother over the phone and assured him of all possible help from the state government. "I told him that state officials were in regular touch with officers of the External Affairs Ministry for an early rescue," Baghel said. Responding to reports of the kidnapping on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the ministry is working closely with the Nigerian authorities in this regard. "On December 3, 18 Indian national crew members were abducted from the ship 'Nave Constellation' at high seas near Nigeria. We are working closely with the Nigerian authorities," the MEA spokesperson said. The pirates managed to board the vessel and kidnap 19 crew members before escaping. The 19 seafarers comprised 18 Indian nationals and one Turkish national.The vessel is now said to be safe and under the escort of the Nigerian Navy. The whereabouts and details of crew members are yet to be ascertained.

Chhattisgarh engineer, wife among 18 Indians kidnapped by Nigerian pirates