Two Norwegian and two Ukrainian oil workers kidnapped from a ship off the coast of Nigeria were freed today after a week in captivity, a state government spokesman said.
After five abductions of an estimated total of 16 people this month, the latest release probably cuts the number of foreign oil workers held hostage in Africa's top producer to seven.
"The hostages have been released and they are looking well," said Victor Akenge, Bayelsa State commissioner for the environment, after meeting the Norwegians and Ukrainians.
The oil workers were abducted from a ship close to an offshore oil rig operated by Peak Petroleum, a partner of Equator Exploration. Peak is in dispute with a local community over jobs and benefits.
The four men were released after Peak struck an agreement with the community, with the blessing of the local government, authorities said.