Three Britons and Colombian kidnapped in Nigeria

Three British workers and a Colombian were today kidnapped in Nigeria by gunmen who killed their Nigerian security guard. The group had been travelling in a convoy near Port Harcourt at the time of the ambush, Reuters reported. They were said to have been working at Shell's gas and power plant in Afam. "The four were expatriates from Netco contractors working at the Afam power plant," a security source told the agency. Another source said the four had been taken from their vehicles at around 7.30am. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions. Hundreds of foreign workers have been kidnapped and held to ransom in Nigeria in recent years. Most are released unharmed after money is paid. Numerous gangs and groups are involved, including the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, which claims to be fighting for a greater share of the oil wealth for the local population.