Three Indians kidnapped in Nigeria,India in touch with authorities

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Gunmen kidnapped three Indian workers from a residential complex in Southern Nigeria in a pre-dawn attack today after blasting open the front gate of the complex.

Officials in New Delhi, while confirming the kidnappings, said the Indian Mission in Lagos was in touch with the Nigerian authorities to secure the release of the three who could not be immediately identified.

''Our Mission is in touch with the Nigerian authorities and is trying to secure the release of the Indians,'' an official of the External Affairs Ministry said.

Reports from Nigeria, quoting senior military officials, said seven other Indians living in the same residential complex in the main oil city of Port Harcourt, were rescued by Nigerian security forces before they also could be taken away by the gunmen.

A Nigerian civilian was killed in the incident.

The Military spokesman said the attackers entered the compound after detonating the front entrance. Before they could abduct 10 Indians from the area, military intervened and rescued seven of them. However, three Indian nationals were taken away by the gunmen.

Militants and criminal gangs have been kidnapping foreign workers in Nigeria primarily to extort money and put pressure on the Nigerian government and oil companies.

Nearly 100 foreigners have been kidnapped since the beginning of the year.

UNI