Pakistan minister has claimed that an investigation into the alleged kidnapping of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter has found that there is no proof she was abducted.

Earlier, the Afghan foreign ministry has claimed that the ambassador’s daughter, Silsila Alikhil, was riding in a taxi when she was kidnapped and held captive for several hours. The ministry also said that she was “severely tortured by unknown persons” during the time she was held captive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-recalls-envoy-to-pakistan-over-daughter-abduction-incident-398916" hreflang="en">Afghanistan recalls envoy to Pakistan over daughter abduction incident</a>

However, straining the already stressful relationship between the two countries, Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rashid said, "there is no case of kidnapping."

Reportedly, the Pakistan authorities scanned 700 hours-worth CCTV footage and searched nearly 200 taxis, but found no proof that Silsila Alikhil was abducted in Islamabad.

He also alleged that this incident was being used as a way to "defame the country". He also claimed that there are differences in Silsila Alikhil’s narrative and Pakistan’s findings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-interior-minister-afghan-envoy-daughters-kidnapping-case-to-be-solved-in-72-hours-398849" hreflang="en">Pakistan’s Interior Minister: Afghan envoy daughter's&nbsp;kidnapping case to be solved in 72 hours&nbsp;</a>

"Pakistan will not back down from this case, even though there is a huge difference between her (claim) and our findings," Rashid said.

Authorities have urged Silsila Alikhil to come forward and help in the investigation.

Since the incident took place, Afghanistan has recalled its ambassador from the country citing "security threats". Islamabad, however, has struck back by saying the move by Kabul was highly regrettable.

Pakistan minister has claimed that an investigation into the alleged kidnapping of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter has found that there is no proof she was abducted.

Pakistan minister has claimed that an investigation into the alleged kidnapping of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter has found that there is no proof she was abducted. Earlier, the Afghan foreign ministry has claimed that the ambassador’s daughter, Silsila Alikhil, was riding in a taxi when she was kidnapped and held captive for several hours. The ministry also said that she was “severely tortured by unknown persons” during the time she was held captive. Also read | Afghanistan recalls envoy to Pakistan over daughter abduction incident However, straining the already stressful relationship between the two countries, Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rashid said, "there is no case of kidnapping." Reportedly, the Pakistan authorities scanned 700 hours-worth CCTV footage and searched nearly 200 taxis, but found no proof that Silsila Alikhil was abducted in Islamabad. He also alleged that this incident was being used as a way to "defame the country". He also claimed that there are differences in Silsila Alikhil’s narrative and Pakistan’s findings. Also read | Pakistan’s Interior Minister: Afghan envoy daughter's kidnapping case to be solved in 72 hours "Pakistan will not back down from this case, even though there is a huge difference between her (claim) and our findings," Rashid said. Authorities have urged Silsila Alikhil to come forward and help in the investigation. Since the incident took place, Afghanistan has recalled its ambassador from the country citing "security threats". Islamabad, however, has struck back by saying the move by Kabul was highly regrettable.

No evidence that Afghan ambassador's daughter was kidnapped: Pakistan

The daughter of Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan was abducted in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, held for several hours and brutally attacked. The interior ministry of Pakistan has denied the claims.

Daughter of Afghanistan envoy kidnapped and tortured in Pakistan

In a shocking development,&nbsp;daughter of Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Najibullah Alikhil, was kidnapped in Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday.

The 27-year-old went missing at around 2.30 pm&nbsp;(local time) near Rana Market in Islamabad. Her shoes and&nbsp;mobile phone are missing.&nbsp;

Just hours after the incident, Afghanistan summoned Pakistan's Ambassador to Kabul Mansoor Ahmad Khan and lodged a "strong protest" apart from expressing "deep concerns" over the incident.

In a statement after the summoning, Afghan foreign ministry said that it "explicitly called on the Pakistani government to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime and ensure the full security and immunity of Afghan diplomats and their families in accordance with international conventions."

Ambassador Alikhil's daughter is currently in a hospital and according to a report by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science in Islamabad,&nbsp;she has swelling in various parts of her body.&nbsp;

Earlier, in a strongly worded statement, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deep regret" &amp; it said that it "strongly condemns this heinous act". The Afghan foreign ministry expressed its "deep concern over the safety and security of diplomats, their families, and staff members of the Afghan political and consular missions in Pakistan."

Ambassador Alikhil's daughter was assaulted in a taxi which she had taken while returning from market. Her hands and feet were tied when she regained consciousness. Her dupatta had tissue paper and rupees 50 note with message “your turn is next“ and “communist”.

Pakistan has reacted to the development.&nbsp;Its foreign ministry has said&nbsp;it had&nbsp;increased&nbsp;the security of the Afghan envoy and his family.

"Law&nbsp;enforcement agencies are trying to trace and apprehend the culprits to be brought to justice," the ministry said in a statement&nbsp;

Pakistani PM Imran Khan has directed the country's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to utilize all resources to apprehend the persons involved in the incident. A deadline of 48 hours has been given for law enforcement agencies to apprehend the culprits.

This is not the first time diplomats and their families have met danger. Indian diplomats have been in the past faced harassment in&nbsp;Islamabad. This has included&nbsp;power supply&nbsp;being cut, internet connection being slowed down.

In response to a question on the safety of Indian diplomats in Islamabad in aftermath of the abduction of Afghan envoy's daughter, Indian sources said, "we have been issuing alerts to our High Commission personnel on regular basis"

In a shocking development, daughter of Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Najibullah Alikhil, was kidnapped in Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday. The 27-year-old went missing at around 2.

In a shocking development, daughter of Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Najibullah Alikhil, was kidnapped in Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday. The 27-year-old went missing at around 2.30 pm (local time) near Rana Market in Islamabad. Her shoes and mobile phone are missing. Just hours after the incident, Afghanistan summoned Pakistan's Ambassador to Kabul Mansoor Ahmad Khan and lodged a "strong protest" apart from expressing "deep concerns" over the incident. In a statement after the summoning, Afghan foreign ministry said that it "explicitly called on the Pakistani government to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime and ensure the full security and immunity of Afghan diplomats and their families in accordance with international conventions." Ambassador Alikhil's daughter is currently in a hospital and according to a report by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science in Islamabad, she has swelling in various parts of her body. Earlier, in a strongly worded statement, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deep regret" & it said that it "strongly condemns this heinous act". The Afghan foreign ministry expressed its "deep concern over the safety and security of diplomats, their families, and staff members of the Afghan political and consular missions in Pakistan." Ambassador Alikhil's daughter was assaulted in a taxi which she had taken while returning from market. Her hands and feet were tied when she regained consciousness. Her dupatta had tissue paper and rupees 50 note with message “your turn is next“ and “communist”. Pakistan has reacted to the development. Its foreign ministry has said it had increased the security of the Afghan envoy and his family. "Law enforcement agencies are trying to trace and apprehend the culprits to be brought to justice," the ministry said in a statement Pakistani PM Imran Khan has directed the country's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to utilize all resources to apprehend the persons involved in the incident. A deadline of 48 hours has been given for law enforcement agencies to apprehend the culprits. This is not the first time diplomats and their families have met danger. Indian diplomats have been in the past faced harassment in Islamabad. This has included power supply being cut, internet connection being slowed down. In response to a question on the safety of Indian diplomats in Islamabad in aftermath of the abduction of Afghan envoy's daughter, Indian sources said, "we have been issuing alerts to our High Commission personnel on regular basis"

Daughter of Afghanistan envoy to Pakistan kidnapped in Islamabad

Addressing a news conference, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Sunday that the kidnapping case of Afghanistan ambassador's daughter is expected to be solved in 72 hours.&nbsp;

As per PM Imran Khan's directives,&nbsp;Rasheed said the government registered an FIR against the kidnapping at 2 am.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The authorities will investigate as to how the envoy's daughter reached Daman-e-Koh from Rawalpindi and hopefully by today evening, there will be&nbsp;a clearer picture, said the&nbsp;minister, as per a Geo News report.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier on&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;daughter of Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Najibullah&nbsp;Alikhil, was kidnapped in Pakistani capital Islamabad&nbsp;in&nbsp;a shocking development.&nbsp;

The 27-year-old went missing at around 2.30 pm (local time) near Rana Market in Islamabad. Her shoes and mobile phone&nbsp;were missing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ambassador&nbsp;Alikhil's&nbsp;daughter was assaulted in a taxi which she had taken while returning from&nbsp;the&nbsp;market.&nbsp;The ambassador's&nbsp;daughter had reached hospital later.&nbsp;According to a report by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science in Islamabad, she had&nbsp;swelling in various parts of her body.&nbsp;

Just hours after the incident, Afghanistan summoned Pakistan's Ambassador to Kabul Mansoor Ahmad Khan and lodged a&nbsp;'strong protest'&nbsp;apart from expressing&nbsp;'deep concerns'&nbsp;over the incident.&nbsp;

In a statement after the summoning, Afghan foreign ministry said that it "explicitly called on the Pakistani government to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime and ensure the full security and immunity of Afghan diplomats and their families in accordance with international conventions."&nbsp;

Pakistan reacted to the development and its foreign ministry&nbsp;had&nbsp;said it had increased the security of the Afghan envoy and his family.&nbsp;

"Law enforcement agencies are trying to trace and apprehend the culprits to be brought to justice," the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pakistani PM Imran Khan had also directed the country's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to&nbsp;utilise&nbsp;all resources to apprehend the persons involved in the incident. A deadline of 48 hours&nbsp;was for law enforcement agencies to apprehend the culprits.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Addressing a news conference, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Sunday that the kidnapping case of Afghanistan ambassador's daughter is expected to be solved in 72 hours.

Addressing a news conference, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Sunday that the kidnapping case of Afghanistan ambassador's daughter is expected to be solved in 72 hours. As per PM Imran Khan's directives, Rasheed said the government registered an FIR against the kidnapping at 2 am. The authorities will investigate as to how the envoy's daughter reached Daman-e-Koh from Rawalpindi and hopefully by today evening, there will be a clearer picture, said the minister, as per a Geo News report. Earlier on Friday, daughter of Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Najibullah Alikhil, was kidnapped in Pakistani capital Islamabad in a shocking development. The 27-year-old went missing at around 2.30 pm (local time) near Rana Market in Islamabad. Her shoes and mobile phone were missing. Ambassador Alikhil's daughter was assaulted in a taxi which she had taken while returning from the market. The ambassador's daughter had reached hospital later. According to a report by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science in Islamabad, she had swelling in various parts of her body. Just hours after the incident, Afghanistan summoned Pakistan's Ambassador to Kabul Mansoor Ahmad Khan and lodged a 'strong protest' apart from expressing 'deep concerns' over the incident. In a statement after the summoning, Afghan foreign ministry said that it "explicitly called on the Pakistani government to take immediate action to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime and ensure the full security and immunity of Afghan diplomats and their families in accordance with international conventions." Pakistan reacted to the development and its foreign ministry had said it had increased the security of the Afghan envoy and his family. "Law enforcement agencies are trying to trace and apprehend the culprits to be brought to justice," the ministry said in a statement. Pakistani PM Imran Khan had also directed the country's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to utilise all resources to apprehend the persons involved in the incident. A deadline of 48 hours was for law enforcement agencies to apprehend the culprits. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan’s Interior Minister: Afghan envoy daughter's kidnapping case to be solved in 72 hours 

Armed men have kidnapped about 150 students from a boarding school in Nigeria's Kaduna state. This is the tenth mass school kidnapping in the country in the last six months.

Nigeria: 150 students abducted by Gunmen from a boarding school

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren.

Criminal gangs, heavily-armed, often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria. Since the start of the year, they have increasingly targetted schools and collges.

In the latest incident, the attackers opened fire and overpowered security guards of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday. They abducted most of the 165 pupils boarding there.

"The kidnappers took away 140 students, only 25 students escaped. We still have no idea where the students were taken," Emmanuel Paul, a teacher at the school told AFP.

Kaduna state police spokesman Muhammed Jalige could not give exact number of students abducted.

"Tactical police teams went after the kidnappers," he said. "We are still on the rescue mission." 
Police said they had safely rescued 26 people, including a female teacher.

Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held.

Often, gangs target rural schools and colleges where students stay in dormitories and security is light, allowing them to easily transport large numbers of victims to forest hideouts to negotiate ransoms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren.

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren. Criminal gangs, heavily-armed, often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria. Since the start of the year, they have increasingly targetted schools and collges. In the latest incident, the attackers opened fire and overpowered security guards of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday. They abducted most of the 165 pupils boarding there. "The kidnappers took away 140 students, only 25 students escaped. We still have no idea where the students were taken," Emmanuel Paul, a teacher at the school told AFP. Kaduna state police spokesman Muhammed Jalige could not give exact number of students abducted. "Tactical police teams went after the kidnappers," he said. "We are still on the rescue mission." Police said they had safely rescued 26 people, including a female teacher. Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. Often, gangs target rural schools and colleges where students stay in dormitories and security is light, allowing them to easily transport large numbers of victims to forest hideouts to negotiate ransoms. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap 140 students from boarding school

Gunmen abducted scores of students from an Islamic seminary in Nigeria. Authorities said that nearly 200 students were present at the time of kidnapping. However, the number of students who were abducted is yet to be confirmed.

Gunmen in Nigeria abduct students from Islamic school

Kidnappers have released the remaining 29 students they were holding captive from a college in Nigeria’s Kaduna state. In March, militants had seized 39 students from the College of Forestry Mechanization in Kaduna state. Security forces recovered 10 of them in the weeks following the attack, but the remaining students were still missing until Wednesday.

Nigeria: Kidnappers free 29 college students abducted in Kaduna state

Three&nbsp;of the&nbsp;seven&nbsp;Catholic&nbsp;clergy&nbsp;who were&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;in&nbsp;Haiti&nbsp;more than a week ago have been&nbsp;released, a Church spokesman told AFP on Thursday, as the island nation grapples with a rise in violence and ongoing political crisis.

A total of 10 people were abducted in Croix-des-Bouquets, a town northeast of the capital Port-au-Prince, on April 11, including the&nbsp;seven&nbsp;clergy&nbsp;-- five of them Haitian and two of them French.

Father Loudger Mazile, spokesman for the Bishop's Conference for the island nation, said "the French were not&nbsp;released. There were no lay people among those&nbsp;released."

"Three&nbsp;of the&nbsp;seven&nbsp;clergy&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;on April 11 were&nbsp;released," he told.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is plagued by insecurity and natural disaster.

Also read:<a href="India sends Covid vaccines to Caribbean, up next Mexico">&nbsp;India sends Covid vaccines to Caribbean, up next Mexico</a>

Kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent months in Port-au-Prince and other provinces, reflecting the growing influence of armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.

Haiti's government resigned and a new prime minister was appointed in the wake of the kidnappings, a move President Jovenel Moise said "will make it possible to address the glaring problem of insecurity and continue discussions with a view to reaching the consensus necessary for the political and institutional stability of our country."

The&nbsp;clergy&nbsp;abducted were a group of four priests and a nun from&nbsp;Haiti, as well as one&nbsp;priest&nbsp;and one nun from France. The&nbsp;three&nbsp;non-clergy&nbsp;were members of the family of a Haitian&nbsp;priest, who was not among those&nbsp;kidnapped.

The&nbsp;kidnapped&nbsp;victims&nbsp;were "on their way to the installation of a new parish&nbsp;priest" when they were abducted, Mazile previously told AFP, with the kidnappers demanding a $1 million ransom for the group.

Authorities suspect an armed gang called "400 Mawozo" -- which is active in kidnappings -- is behind the abduction, according to a police source.

Haiti's&nbsp;Catholic&nbsp;Church has slammed the government's failure to act over the country's unrest, decrying the nation's "descent into hell."

"The public authorities who are doing nothing to resolve this crisis are not immune from suspicion," the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince said in a statement.

The abducted five priests belong to the Society of Priests of St James, which is based in France, their superior general, Paul Dossous, confirmed to AFP.

Paris, meanwhile has opened an investigation into the kidnappings, entrusting the case to France's Central Office for the Fight against Organized Crime (OCLCO), which has jurisdiction over crimes committed against French citizens abroad.

Three of the seven Catholic clergy who were kidnapped in Haiti more than a week ago have been released, a Church spokesman told AFP on Thursday, as the island nation grapples with a rise in violence and ongoing political crisis.

Three of the seven Catholic clergy who were kidnapped in Haiti more than a week ago have been released, a Church spokesman told AFP on Thursday, as the island nation grapples with a rise in violence and ongoing political crisis. A total of 10 people were abducted in Croix-des-Bouquets, a town northeast of the capital Port-au-Prince, on April 11, including the seven clergy -- five of them Haitian and two of them French. Father Loudger Mazile, spokesman for the Bishop's Conference for the island nation, said "the French were not released. There were no lay people among those released." "Three of the seven clergy kidnapped on April 11 were released," he told. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is plagued by insecurity and natural disaster. Also read: India sends Covid vaccines to Caribbean, up next Mexico Kidnappings for ransom have surged in recent months in Port-au-Prince and other provinces, reflecting the growing influence of armed gangs in the Caribbean nation. Haiti's government resigned and a new prime minister was appointed in the wake of the kidnappings, a move President Jovenel Moise said "will make it possible to address the glaring problem of insecurity and continue discussions with a view to reaching the consensus necessary for the political and institutional stability of our country." The clergy abducted were a group of four priests and a nun from Haiti, as well as one priest and one nun from France. The three non-clergy were members of the family of a Haitian priest, who was not among those kidnapped. The kidnapped victims were "on their way to the installation of a new parish priest" when they were abducted, Mazile previously told AFP, with the kidnappers demanding a $1 million ransom for the group. Authorities suspect an armed gang called "400 Mawozo" -- which is active in kidnappings -- is behind the abduction, according to a police source. Haiti's Catholic Church has slammed the government's failure to act over the country's unrest, decrying the nation's "descent into hell." "The public authorities who are doing nothing to resolve this crisis are not immune from suspicion," the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince said in a statement. The abducted five priests belong to the Society of Priests of St James, which is based in France, their superior general, Paul Dossous, confirmed to AFP. Paris, meanwhile has opened an investigation into the kidnappings, entrusting the case to France's Central Office for the Fight against Organized Crime (OCLCO), which has jurisdiction over crimes committed against French citizens abroad.

Three of seven Catholic clergy kidnapped in Haiti are released

A video of some of the students kidnapped from a college in northwest Nigeria emerged on Saturday (March 13), showing them cowering on a forest floor as armed captors hit them with sticks.

Beaten and cowering, kidnapped Nigerian students beg for help

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has banned mining and imposed a no-flight zone in the north-western state of Zamfara. This comes after the abduction of almost 300 school girls last week.

Nigeria imposes a no flight zone in Zamfara, action after kidnapping incident

Hundreds of students who were kidnapped in Nigeria just a few days back have been released. Zamfara state government has confirmed that all of them are in good health.

News Alert: Hundreds of kidnapped Nigerian students released

Gunmen seized more than 300 girls in a night-time raid on a school in northwest Nigeria on Friday (February 26). According to the latest reports, kidnapped schoolgirls are freed now.

Reports: 317 kidnapped schoolgirls freed in Nigeria

317 girls students from Zamfara state were kidnapped a few days back. However, one of them managed to escape from the abductors and describes her horrific experience. More than 100 girls are still missing.

Parents wait and pray for more than 300 kidnapped schoolgirls

A 15-year-old Indian girl, who was reported missing earlier in the week, has been found hiding in the terrace of her home here after her parents scolded her for poor grades in school, according to a media report.

Harini Karani was reported missing following her morning walk in Dubai on Thursday morning, the Gulf News reported.

The girl was hiding on the roof of her house in Umm Suqiem, Dubai, as she was sad after her parents confiscated her mobile phone for getting poor grades in school, Dubai Police told the daily.

"The family alerted police about their daughter going missing since the morning and they rushed and sought people's help too by sharing the incident on social media platforms. Her parents were afraid that their daughter might harm herself,"&nbsp;the Gulf News reported quoting an official.

Dubai Police solved the cases in a few hours and Karani has safely returned to her family.

Karani studies in a UK-curriculum school in Al Barsha here.&nbsp;

A 15-year-old Indian girl, who was reported missing earlier in the week, has been found hiding in the terrace of her home here after her parents scolded her for poor grades in school, according to a media report.

A 15-year-old Indian girl, who was reported missing earlier in the week, has been found hiding in the terrace of her home here after her parents scolded her for poor grades in school, according to a media report. Harini Karani was reported missing following her morning walk in Dubai on Thursday morning, the Gulf News reported. The girl was hiding on the roof of her house in Umm Suqiem, Dubai, as she was sad after her parents confiscated her mobile phone for getting poor grades in school, Dubai Police told the daily. "The family alerted police about their daughter going missing since the morning and they rushed and sought people's help too by sharing the incident on social media platforms. Her parents were afraid that their daughter might harm herself," the Gulf News reported quoting an official. Dubai Police solved the cases in a few hours and Karani has safely returned to her family. Karani studies in a UK-curriculum school in Al Barsha here.

Indian teenager in Dubai stages kidnapping drama after parents scold her for poor grades

Gunmen in Nigeria on Saturday released 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped from a boarding school last week in the north-central state of Niger, the state's governor said.

School children abducted in Nigeria's Niger state released

Gunmen have abducted schoolgirls in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state, a state spokesman said on Friday. The incident is the second such kidnapping in just over a week and the third since December in Nigeria's north, where a surge in armed militancy has led to a widespread breakdown of security.

Nigeria's growing kidnapping industry, hundreds have been killed

Kids in Nigeria have been kidnapped from their school once again. More than 40 people - including students and teachers were abducted. One student was killed in the shooting. Why can't Nigeria keep its kids safe? WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas | Another school kidnapping in Nigeria: One student killed

Gunmen have kidnapped many school children in Kagara, Nigeria. Gunmen even stormed the school wearing the military uniform. According to the magistrate, the headcount is currently being conducted to get the exact number of children kidnapped.

WION Fineprint: Nigerian gunmen wearing military uniform storm a school

Gunmen have kidnapped many school children in Kagara, Nigeria. Gunmen even stormed the school wearing the military uniform. According to the magistrate , the headcount is currently being conducted to get the exact number of children kidnapped.

Nigeria: Gunmen wearing military uniform stormed the school

More than 300 schoolboys who had been kidnapped in northern Nigeria were handed over to government security agents on Thursday (December 17), the governor of Katsina state said.

More than 340 kidnapped Nigerian schoolboys freed

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram.

It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place.

The assault last Friday on a rural school in Kankara, Katsina state in northwest Nigeria, was initially blamed on criminal gangs who have terrorised the region for years. But on Tuesday, Boko Haram, the brutal jihadist group behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility for the raid.

After a six-day ordeal, local officials said the boys had been released.

Those who were released will be given proper medical attention and care before being reunited with their families.

In a video released by Boko Haram Thursday, a distraught teenager said he was among 520 students kidnapped.

Sources had previously told AFP that the raid was carried out by a well known criminal in the region, Awwalun Daudawa, in collaboration with Idi Minorti and Dankarami, two other crime chiefs with strong local followings, acting on behalf of Boko Haram.

Experts recently warned that jihadists -- operating in the northeast of the country, hundreds of kilometres (miles) from where Friday's attack occurred -- were attempting to forge an alliance with criminal gangs in the northwest.

President Buhari's official spokesman Garba Shehu said on Twitter "the northwest now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with."

Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.

#BringBackOurBoys&nbsp;started trending on social media earlier this week, in reference to a similar hashtag after the Chibok kidnappings.

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram. It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place.

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram. It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place. The assault last Friday on a rural school in Kankara, Katsina state in northwest Nigeria, was initially blamed on criminal gangs who have terrorised the region for years. But on Tuesday, Boko Haram, the brutal jihadist group behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility for the raid. After a six-day ordeal, local officials said the boys had been released. Those who were released will be given proper medical attention and care before being reunited with their families. In a video released by Boko Haram Thursday, a distraught teenager said he was among 520 students kidnapped. Sources had previously told AFP that the raid was carried out by a well known criminal in the region, Awwalun Daudawa, in collaboration with Idi Minorti and Dankarami, two other crime chiefs with strong local followings, acting on behalf of Boko Haram. Experts recently warned that jihadists -- operating in the northeast of the country, hundreds of kilometres (miles) from where Friday's attack occurred -- were attempting to forge an alliance with criminal gangs in the northwest. President Buhari's official spokesman Garba Shehu said on Twitter "the northwest now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with." Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank. #BringBackOurBoys started trending on social media earlier this week, in reference to a similar hashtag after the Chibok kidnappings.

Over 300 Nigerian schoolboys released after mass kidnapping

More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram. Watch this video to know more.

Nigeria: Over 300 students handed over to security forces

Hundreds of students missing in north western Nigeria's Katsina state, after a raid by a gunmen. According to sources gunmen storm government secondary school in the region

Attackers kidnap hundreds of students in Nigeria

Elaborate "virtual kidnappings" are being used to extort money from the friends and relatives of Chinese students Down Under, Australian police warned Monday, after a spate of transnational scams were reported.

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Police said that conmen claiming to be Chinese authorities had netted millions of US dollars in ransoms by scaring students into faking their own kidnappings.

The scammers -- often calling in Mandarin and claiming to be from the Chinese embassy, police or consulate -- initially say the victim is accused of a crime in China or tell them their identity has been stolen before threatening them with deportation or arrest unless a fee is paid, police said.

The fraudsters then continue to threaten the victim, often over encrypted message services, until they transfer large sums into offshore bank accounts.

In some cases, victims were told to cease contact with friends and relatives, then make videos of themselves tied up and blindfolded with the conmen using the footage to demand ransoms.

Police said at least eight cases have led to more than Aus$3 million (US$2.1 million) in ransom payments this year in Australia.

Other incidents have been detected elsewhere around the world, and Australian police said the scams had been "developed considerably over the last decade by transnational organised crime syndicates".

Victims are "traumatised by what has occurred, believing they have placed themselves, and their loved ones, in real danger", New South Wales Police assistant commissioner Peter Thurtell said.

Over 1,000 "Chinese authority" scams were recorded last year by Australia's consumer watchdog.

Exiled Chinese dissidents and members of persecuted ethnic groups have also reported harassment from Chinese authorities, including threatening phonecalls.

Chinese officials said no authority would contact students on their mobile to demand money.

The warning comes as the university sector attempts to lure back lucrative international students online and prepare for any possible relaxation of virus travel restrictions.

Education is Australia's fourth-largest trade -- behind iron ore, coal and natural gas -- with more than 500,000 international students enrolled last year, bringing about Aus$37 billion into the economy.

The closure of its borders to travellers due to the coronavirus pandemic has crippled the sector and heightened tensions with Beijing has further threatened the flow of students to the country.

Last month China's ministry of education warned students about "multiple discriminatory incidents against Asians in Australia" during the pandemic and discouraged students from returning to the country when the borders reopened.

Elaborate "virtual kidnappings" are being used to extort money from the friends and relatives of Chinese students Down Under, Australian police warned Monday, after a spate of transnational scams were reported.

Elaborate "virtual kidnappings" are being used to extort money from the friends and relatives of Chinese students Down Under, Australian police warned Monday, after a spate of transnational scams were reported. Also read: Chinese authorities take possession of closed US consulate in Chengdu Police said that conmen claiming to be Chinese authorities had netted millions of US dollars in ransoms by scaring students into faking their own kidnappings. The scammers -- often calling in Mandarin and claiming to be from the Chinese embassy, police or consulate -- initially say the victim is accused of a crime in China or tell them their identity has been stolen before threatening them with deportation or arrest unless a fee is paid, police said. The fraudsters then continue to threaten the victim, often over encrypted message services, until they transfer large sums into offshore bank accounts. In some cases, victims were told to cease contact with friends and relatives, then make videos of themselves tied up and blindfolded with the conmen using the footage to demand ransoms. Police said at least eight cases have led to more than Aus$3 million (US$2.1 million) in ransom payments this year in Australia. Other incidents have been detected elsewhere around the world, and Australian police said the scams had been "developed considerably over the last decade by transnational organised crime syndicates". Victims are "traumatised by what has occurred, believing they have placed themselves, and their loved ones, in real danger", New South Wales Police assistant commissioner Peter Thurtell said. Over 1,000 "Chinese authority" scams were recorded last year by Australia's consumer watchdog. Exiled Chinese dissidents and members of persecuted ethnic groups have also reported harassment from Chinese authorities, including threatening phonecalls. Chinese officials said no authority would contact students on their mobile to demand money. The warning comes as the university sector attempts to lure back lucrative international students online and prepare for any possible relaxation of virus travel restrictions. Education is Australia's fourth-largest trade -- behind iron ore, coal and natural gas -- with more than 500,000 international students enrolled last year, bringing about Aus$37 billion into the economy. The closure of its borders to travellers due to the coronavirus pandemic has crippled the sector and heightened tensions with Beijing has further threatened the flow of students to the country. Last month China's ministry of education warned students about "multiple discriminatory incidents against Asians in Australia" during the pandemic and discouraged students from returning to the country when the borders reopened.

'Virtual kidnappings' warning for Chinese students in Australia

A Sri Lankan journalist working for The New York Times has said police raided her home and seized her laptop over the alleged kidnapping of a Swiss embassy staffer last year. 
 
A diplomatic row erupted in late November after the Swiss embassy said the woman was abducted and&nbsp;sexually assaulted by unidentified attackers. 
 
Her alleged kidnap came a day after a Sri Lankan police inspector investigating cases involving the powerful Rajapaksa family -- who returned to power in November -- sought asylum in Switzerland.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-conducts-second-mock-poll-election-commission-satisfied-with-preparations-305799" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka conducts second mock poll; election commission satisfied with preparations</a> 
 
Dharisha Bastians -- a New York Times correspondent and former chief editor of the Sunday Observer, a local newspaper -- said that police raided her home in the capital Colombo last Tuesday. 
 
"Five CID (Criminal Investigation Department) officials arrived at my residence in Colombo with a warrant to search the house... my computer was found, seized and sealed," she tweeted on Monday. 
 
Bastians said police earlier also obtained her mobile phone call records and "exposed the information".

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/sri-lanka-further-relaxes-covid-19-curfew-305660" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka further relaxes COVID-19 curfew</a>&nbsp; 
 
"As a journalist, I was horrified at the public exposure of my telephone records, which could seriously endanger and compromise my sources and contacts, then, now and in the future." 
 
Police had alleged Bastians was in contact with the embassy staffer, who is on bail over government allegations that she fabricated her claims. 
 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in December her claims were concocted to discredit his election victory the previous month. 
 
Bastians left the country after Rajapaksa came to power.

A Sri Lankan journalist working for The New York Times has said police raided her home and seized her laptop over the alleged kidnapping of a Swiss embassy staffer last year.

A Sri Lankan journalist working for The New York Times has said police raided her home and seized her laptop over the alleged kidnapping of a Swiss embassy staffer last year. A diplomatic row erupted in late November after the Swiss embassy said the woman was abducted and sexually assaulted by unidentified attackers. Her alleged kidnap came a day after a Sri Lankan police inspector investigating cases involving the powerful Rajapaksa family -- who returned to power in November -- sought asylum in Switzerland. Also read: Sri Lanka conducts second mock poll; election commission satisfied with preparations Dharisha Bastians -- a New York Times correspondent and former chief editor of the Sunday Observer, a local newspaper -- said that police raided her home in the capital Colombo last Tuesday. "Five CID (Criminal Investigation Department) officials arrived at my residence in Colombo with a warrant to search the house... my computer was found, seized and sealed," she tweeted on Monday. Bastians said police earlier also obtained her mobile phone call records and "exposed the information". Also read: Sri Lanka further relaxes COVID-19 curfew "As a journalist, I was horrified at the public exposure of my telephone records, which could seriously endanger and compromise my sources and contacts, then, now and in the future." Police had alleged Bastians was in contact with the embassy staffer, who is on bail over government allegations that she fabricated her claims. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in December her claims were concocted to discredit his election victory the previous month. Bastians left the country after Rajapaksa came to power.

Sri Lanka police seize journalist's laptop over Swiss kidnap claim

Nine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday.

"Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped... (of whom) nine (are) Chinese who were abducted on one of the ships," an official in the port of Douala told AFP.&nbsp;

A Cameroonian security official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account.

The abduction was reported on Thursday by sources in the Cameroonian navy and the country's port service, but their number and nationality were not then known.

The navy source had said the kidnappers "are probably Nigerian pirates," adding that Cameroon's security forces had launched a search for them.

The Gulf of Guinea, whose coastline stretches in a huge arc from Liberia to Gabon, is notorious for piracy as well as oil theft, illegal fishing and human and drugs trafficking.

In Malaysia, Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a watchdog agency, said the 17 seamen were seized from two ships that were attacked within hours of each other while they were anchored off Douala.

Choong said one of the ships was a multipurpose German-owned ship that flew the flag of Antigua and Barbuda.&nbsp;

"Eight crew were kidnapped from the ship consisting of a total of 12 Asian and European sailors," he said.

The other vessel was a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier managed in Greece with a Greek owner.

"There were 21 crew on board. All were Asians. Nine crew were taken," Choong told AFP.

"(The) IMB has issued a warning to all ships at Douala. We ask all ships to take additional precaution."

According to the IMB's figures, 62 seafarers were taken hostage or abducted in the area in the first half of 2019.

The Gulf of Guinea accounts for 73 percent of kidnappings and 92 percent of hostage-takings at sea worldwide, it says.

The 17 countries in the Gulf of Guinea and adjacent regions have limited surveillance and maritime defence capabilities.

They have been trying for several years to bolster their means of intervention and to put in place closer collaboration.

Nine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday. "Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped.

Nine Chinese and eight Ukrainian seamen were abducted on Thursday when two merchant vessels came under attack in Cameroonian waters, sources said Friday. "Seventeen Chinese and Ukrainians were kidnapped... (of whom) nine (are) Chinese who were abducted on one of the ships," an official in the port of Douala told AFP. A Cameroonian security official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account. The abduction was reported on Thursday by sources in the Cameroonian navy and the country's port service, but their number and nationality were not then known. The navy source had said the kidnappers "are probably Nigerian pirates," adding that Cameroon's security forces had launched a search for them. The Gulf of Guinea, whose coastline stretches in a huge arc from Liberia to Gabon, is notorious for piracy as well as oil theft, illegal fishing and human and drugs trafficking. In Malaysia, Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a watchdog agency, said the 17 seamen were seized from two ships that were attacked within hours of each other while they were anchored off Douala. Choong said one of the ships was a multipurpose German-owned ship that flew the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. "Eight crew were kidnapped from the ship consisting of a total of 12 Asian and European sailors," he said. The other vessel was a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier managed in Greece with a Greek owner. "There were 21 crew on board. All were Asians. Nine crew were taken," Choong told AFP. "(The) IMB has issued a warning to all ships at Douala. We ask all ships to take additional precaution." According to the IMB's figures, 62 seafarers were taken hostage or abducted in the area in the first half of 2019. The Gulf of Guinea accounts for 73 percent of kidnappings and 92 percent of hostage-takings at sea worldwide, it says. The 17 countries in the Gulf of Guinea and adjacent regions have limited surveillance and maritime defence capabilities. They have been trying for several years to bolster their means of intervention and to put in place closer collaboration.

17 Chinese, Ukrainian seamen kidnapped off Cameroon

A 24-year-old Indian man has been charged with kidnapping, assault and theft after he drove off in an elderly woman's car from outside a medical centre in the US with her grandchildren inside the vehicle.

Dalvir Singh, a heroin addict, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of kidnapping, felonious assault for dragging Nita Coburn, 69 and grand theft, Middletown Division of Police said in a statement.

Coburn was injured when as she tried to stop Singh as the kids jumped out of the car.

The police is also hailing Coburn's 8-year old grandson Chance as a hero for saving his 10-year old sister's life by pulling her out of the car as Singh took off in it.

The Middletown Police said that on the evening of April 25, it received a call that a car with children inside had been stolen at a medical centre in Middletown, Ohio and that an elderly lady was injured.&nbsp;

Coburn had taken another woman to the hospital and her two grandchildren were with her in the back seat. When they got to the emergency room, she pulled up close to the door and was helping the other woman into the emergency room.

About 10 seconds after she got out of the car, Singh jumped into the driver's seat and took off with the children still in the back.&nbsp;

The little boy opened the door to escape and his sister Skylar started to jump out also but Singh grabbed the hoodie of the little girl not allowing her to leave. As she tried to get away, Chance grabbed hold of her and pulled her away from Singh and they both tumbled out of the vehicle as it was moving.

Police said Coburn did not realise that the children were able to escape because they flew out of the passenger side and by that time she was chasing the car on the driver's side.&nbsp;

She opened the driver's door to regain control of the vehicle she thought her grandchildren were in, but Singh slammed the door shut again and locked the door.&nbsp;

She hung onto the vehicle panicking because she thought the children were still inside. The vehicle dragged her until it accelerated at a high rate of speed and she was forced to let go.

Two police officers observed the stolen vehicle fleeing the scene and chased Singh, who was then taken into custody and charged.

Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw lauded the heroic attempt by Chance to save himself and his sister from the kidnapping attempt.

"This little guy is a hero. No question. He pulled his sister out of the car&nbsp;with no concern for his own safety. That is incredible at his age," he said.

The Middletown Division of Police said it will be recognising the little boy's quick action to not only get out of the vehicle but also making sure that his sister got out with him.&nbsp;

A 24-year-old Indian man has been charged with kidnapping, assault and theft after he drove off in an elderly woman's car from outside a medical centre in the US with her grandchildren inside the vehicle.

A 24-year-old Indian man has been charged with kidnapping, assault and theft after he drove off in an elderly woman's car from outside a medical centre in the US with her grandchildren inside the vehicle. Dalvir Singh, a heroin addict, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of kidnapping, felonious assault for dragging Nita Coburn, 69 and grand theft, Middletown Division of Police said in a statement. Coburn was injured when as she tried to stop Singh as the kids jumped out of the car. The police is also hailing Coburn's 8-year old grandson Chance as a hero for saving his 10-year old sister's life by pulling her out of the car as Singh took off in it. The Middletown Police said that on the evening of April 25, it received a call that a car with children inside had been stolen at a medical centre in Middletown, Ohio and that an elderly lady was injured. Coburn had taken another woman to the hospital and her two grandchildren were with her in the back seat. When they got to the emergency room, she pulled up close to the door and was helping the other woman into the emergency room. About 10 seconds after she got out of the car, Singh jumped into the driver's seat and took off with the children still in the back. The little boy opened the door to escape and his sister Skylar started to jump out also but Singh grabbed the hoodie of the little girl not allowing her to leave. As she tried to get away, Chance grabbed hold of her and pulled her away from Singh and they both tumbled out of the vehicle as it was moving. Police said Coburn did not realise that the children were able to escape because they flew out of the passenger side and by that time she was chasing the car on the driver's side. She opened the driver's door to regain control of the vehicle she thought her grandchildren were in, but Singh slammed the door shut again and locked the door. She hung onto the vehicle panicking because she thought the children were still inside. The vehicle dragged her until it accelerated at a high rate of speed and she was forced to let go. Two police officers observed the stolen vehicle fleeing the scene and chased Singh, who was then taken into custody and charged. Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw lauded the heroic attempt by Chance to save himself and his sister from the kidnapping attempt. "This little guy is a hero. No question. He pulled his sister out of the car with no concern for his own safety. That is incredible at his age," he said. The Middletown Division of Police said it will be recognising the little boy's quick action to not only get out of the vehicle but also making sure that his sister got out with him.

Indian charged with kidnapping after driving away two children in car in US

79 students kidnapped in Cameroon

Two Indian nationals, who were kidnapped by suspected terrorists from an area called Boko near Makurdi in Benue State of Nigeria on June 29, were released today morning, said government sources. 
 
Mangapudi Srinivas, who hails from Visakhapatnam, and his colleague Kaushal Anish Sharma were released at 10.30 in the morning and had spoken to their families. 
 
Anish Sharma&#39;s wife thanked Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for ensuring their safe release. She also thanked the ministry and the mission for keeping the family informed of developments almost on daily basis. 
 
Sharma and Srinivas were reportedly travelling to Dangote Cement Plant in a car from their residential quarters at around 7.20 pm on June 29 when a group of armed men kidnapped them at a traffic signal. 
 
(ANI)

Anish Sharma, Mangapudi Srinivas were travelling to Dangote Cement Plant in a car when a group of armed men kidnapped them

Two Indian nationals, who were kidnapped by suspected terrorists from an area called Boko near Makurdi in Benue State of Nigeria on June 29, were released today morning, said government sources. Mangapudi Srinivas, who hails from Visakhapatnam, and his colleague Kaushal Anish Sharma were released at 10.30 in the morning and had spoken to their families. Anish Sharma's wife thanked Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for ensuring their safe release. She also thanked the ministry and the mission for keeping the family informed of developments almost on daily basis. Sharma and Srinivas were reportedly travelling to Dangote Cement Plant in a car from their residential quarters at around 7.20 pm on June 29 when a group of armed men kidnapped them at a traffic signal. (ANI)

Two Indians kidnapped in Nigeria released after fortnight

Gunmen in Southern Nigeria have killed a local driver and kidnapped seven people, at least three of whom are Australian citizens and one an Australian resident, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
There was some initial confusion over the number of victims and nationalities of those involved, as police in Nigeria gave conflicting accounts.&nbsp; 
 
The workers, two of whom police said later escaped, were contractors for cement company Lafarge Africa. They were attacked on the outskirts of the city of Calabar at around 4:30 am GMT, police said. 
 
Calabar is a coastal city about 354 miles east of Lagos, and the capital of Cross River State in the Niger Delta region, where both criminal gangs and militants have been active. 
 
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident a &quot;very serious kidnapping&quot; in response to a journalist&#39;s question and urged calm in reporting the incident.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;These are the facts as we know them: three Australians and one Australian resident were among seven people kidnapped in an attack on an Australian contractor`s operations in Nigeria. One person was killed in the attack,&quot; Turnbull told reporters. 
 
Two expatriates managed to flee, said Irene Ugbo, a spokeswoman for Cross River state police, adding that she did not know the nationality of any of the workers feared still held. 
 
Ugbo had earlier said that only two of the kidnapped were Australians, and one was a New Zealander, while another police officer said a South African had been abducted. 
 
The kidnappers had not contacted police, she said. 
 
Kidnappings of foreigners are common in the Delta region, which holds most of the crude oil whose sales make about 70 per cent of Nigeria&#39;s national income.&nbsp; 
 
OPEC member Nigeria was Africa&#39;s top oil producer until a recent spate of attacks on oil facilities pushed it behind Angola. Production has fallen from 2.2 million barrels at the start of the year to around 1.6 million barrels, helping push up global oil prices. 
 
Lafarge Africa said it had been informed of the incident by Australian contractor Macmahon. 
 
&quot;Macmahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation,&quot; said Viola Graham-Douglas, a spokeswoman for Lafarge Africa.&nbsp; 
 
Macmahon Holdings Ltd, which was placed on a trading halt in the wake of the incident, could not immediately be reached for comment. 
 
(Reuters)

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed the kidnapping of three Australians and one Australian resident

Gunmen in Southern Nigeria have killed a local driver and kidnapped seven people, at least three of whom are Australian citizens and one an Australian resident, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday. There was some initial confusion over the number of victims and nationalities of those involved, as police in Nigeria gave conflicting accounts. The workers, two of whom police said later escaped, were contractors for cement company Lafarge Africa. They were attacked on the outskirts of the city of Calabar at around 4:30 am GMT, police said. Calabar is a coastal city about 354 miles east of Lagos, and the capital of Cross River State in the Niger Delta region, where both criminal gangs and militants have been active. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident a "very serious kidnapping" in response to a journalist's question and urged calm in reporting the incident. "These are the facts as we know them: three Australians and one Australian resident were among seven people kidnapped in an attack on an Australian contractor`s operations in Nigeria. One person was killed in the attack," Turnbull told reporters. Two expatriates managed to flee, said Irene Ugbo, a spokeswoman for Cross River state police, adding that she did not know the nationality of any of the workers feared still held. Ugbo had earlier said that only two of the kidnapped were Australians, and one was a New Zealander, while another police officer said a South African had been abducted. The kidnappers had not contacted police, she said. Kidnappings of foreigners are common in the Delta region, which holds most of the crude oil whose sales make about 70 per cent of Nigeria's national income. OPEC member Nigeria was Africa's top oil producer until a recent spate of attacks on oil facilities pushed it behind Angola. Production has fallen from 2.2 million barrels at the start of the year to around 1.6 million barrels, helping push up global oil prices. Lafarge Africa said it had been informed of the incident by Australian contractor Macmahon. "Macmahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation," said Viola Graham-Douglas, a spokeswoman for Lafarge Africa. Macmahon Holdings Ltd, which was placed on a trading halt in the wake of the incident, could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reuters)

Nigerian gunmen kill one and kidnap seven, including Australians

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