Nigerian efforts to release kidnapped Egyptian

Al Ahram

21 January 2011

Nigerian efforts to release kidnapped Egyptian

Cairo is closely monitoring developments concerning the kidnapping of an Egyptian in Nigeria

Kidnappers abducted an Egyptian oil worker, Mohamed Shaaban, early Friday from a ship off Nigeria's coast after seizing control of the vessel for several hours before leaving.

Ambassador Mohamed Abdel-Hakam, the Egyptian deputy foreign minister,said the case is closely monitored and assured that the Nigerian authorities are doing a great effort to release Shaaban.

The whereabouts of the victim were unclear after the incident aboard a ship carrying supplies for Italian oil firm Agip, said Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Antigha. There was also no word on whether a ransom had been demanded.

"Those involved are suspected to be sea pirates," Antigha said, adding that he did not have detailed information on the attack. "The vessel was later released."

The abduction occurred near the Bonny export terminal off the Niger Delta, the country's main oil-producing region.