Briton kidnapped in Nigeria

A British oil worker has been kidnapped with six other men in Nigeria, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Gunmen had attacked the EA oil field in the troubled Niger Delta, Shell spokesman Olav Ljosne had told the AP news agency earlier today.

He confirmed that three foreign workers - including the British man - and four Nigerians were taken captive after a three-hour onslaught.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed the incident, but said it had not received any more details.

Mr Ljosne added: “The next step is to evacuate the staff and try to work on the release of the kidnapped people.”

Today’s incident continues a worrying a trend of abductions, with around 200 foreign workers kidnapped in Nigeria in 2007.

A three-year-old girl, the daughter of British oil worker Michael Hill, was captured in Port Harbour held for four days in July, with state security release moved to secure her release.