At least five foreign workers were kidnapped from an offshore oil vessel in southern Nigeria, an official said, bringing the total kidnapped Thursday to at least 17.
The attack occurred about 25 miles offshore, said Chief Joshua Benemesia, head of a government-backed volunteer anti-piracy force. He did not immediately provide further details.
In a separate incident, 12 workers were kidnapped from a South Korean company’s power plant construction site in Nigeria.
Eight Filipinos, three South Koreans and a Nigerian employee were abducted early Thursday from Afam power station, about 20 miles northeast of Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s southern oil hub, said a statement from Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co.
Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil exporter and the United States’ fifth-largest supplier, usually exporting 2.5 million barrels daily.
Unrest has plagued Nigeria’s oil-rich southern delta region for years, and in recent months armed militants have stepped up a campaign against the oil industry, blowing up oil pipelines and kidnapping foreign workers. Most captives are released unharmed.