Two Australians among a group kidnapped by militants in Nigeria

Two Australians are confirmed to be among a group of foreign workers who were kidnapped by local militants in Nigeria, the nation's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed on Thursday.

Nigerian police said a New Zealand national and a South African man were also part of the group which was ambushed and abducted in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after the group's driver was shot dead while transporting the workers to Australian company MacMahon's local quarry.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the government was attempting to confirm details of the attack, but said she was taking the threat "extremely seriously."

Bishop said she would be working closely with her Nigerian counterpart in the coming days to secure the safe release of all of those abducted.

"The Australian government is working to confirm details of the reported kidnapping in Nigeria of four Australians, who have been working for an Australian mining company," Bishop said in a statement on Thursday.

"The Australian government is in close contact with the Nigerian government, which is taking the matter extremely seriously."

Around 30 militants reportedly carried out the ambush near the Idundun Bridge crossing, Nigerian media reported.

No ransom has yet been received in the wake of the ambush, but the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that a dollar figure would likely to put to the Australian mining company -- or the government -- in due time.

On Thursday, a witness told the ABC the kidnapped men had been taken to a nearby boat, though local police have not confirmed that detail.

MacMahon, a Perth-based company, was contracted to local cement company Lafarge in the region. A spokesperson from MacMahon said the company would not comment on the kidnapping out of fears for the safety of its workers.
Source:XINHUA