American, British oil workers released in Nigeria

Two foreign oil workers kidnapped last week in southern Nigeria were released Tuesday, officials said.

The two men, an American and a Briton, taken hostage by gunmen last Thursday were freed and transported by authorities to their company in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, according to a state government spokesman.

Tension in southern Nigeria have been strained in recent months as local communities accuse foreign oil companies of reneging on promises to provide jobs and social amenities.

On Monday militants and villagers invaded Tebidaba flow station belonging to Italy's Agip company in Bayelsa State and took about 50 people hostage.

Nigeria is the largest African oil producer or the sixth largest oil exporter in the world with a daily crude output of 2.6 million barrels.

Source: Xinhua