MOSCOW, June 3 (RIA Novosti) - Six Russian citizens have been abducted in the southeastern Nigerian town of Ikot Abasi, the Russian embassy in Nigeria said Sunday.
At about 5:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. GMT) Sunday, a group of unidentified persons broke into the homes of Russian personnel working for the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) and abducted six citizens of Russia. Their Nigerian driver was killed during the assault, said Vladimir Shvarts, the embassy's press secretary.
"The embassy is currently maintaining close contacts with the Nigerian law-enforcement bodies to receive full information about the situation with the kidnapped Russian citizens," the press secretary said.
Shvarts added that the Russian diplomatic mission had demanded from the Nigerian competent bodies to take urgent measures to release the Russian citizens.
According to preliminary information, the Russian citizens could have been kidnapped for the purpose of ransom but more detailed information is unavailable as the abductors have not yet advanced any demands.
According to the embassy's information, ALSCON is controlled by the Russian aluminum giant RUSAL. The Nigerian smelter employs several dozen Russian citizens.
