Armed men kidnap a Canadian and a Scottish oil rig in Nigeria

Gunmen Saturday kidnapped two foreign workers on an oil rig in the Delta region of Nigeria, the US military announced – a second kidnapping in less than a week.

The attackers raided the platform belonging to Niger Delta Petroleum Resources around 8 am, said military operations spokesman Major Ibrahim Abubakar.

According to the authorities, the expelled expatriates are a Scotsman and a Canadian.

Gunmen Saturday kidnapped a Canadian and a Scottish oil rig (image of the file) in the Delta region, announced the army – the second kidnapping in less than a week

The troops were searching for the surrounding marshes, said Abubakar.

"When we heard about the incident, we mobilized to comb the marsh, but to no avail. we could not stop the perpetrators, he added.

Abubakar said efforts to redress and arrest the culprits have been stepped up, "but we have also advised management to ensure adequate security for their operations."

Authorities did not disclose the identity of the victims.

The Niger Delta produces most of Nigeria's crude oil. Criminal gangs and armed groups claim more oil revenues.

On Thursday, two Royal Dutch Shell tankers were kidnapped and their police escorts killed in Rivers State while they were coming back from a trip.

The workers were in Rivers State and were returning from an official trip to Bayelsa State after being attacked.

A spokesman for the Rivers State Police said that efforts were underway to rescue the workers.

Authorities said it was the second kidnapping in Rivers State in less than a week. The Ogbele refinery is photographed

The Niger Delta produces most of Nigeria's crude oil. Criminal gangs and armed groups claim more oil revenues.