Negotiations on for release of abducted Thai nationals in southern Nigeria: official

Negotiations are going on for the release of four Thai nationals abducted by unknown gunmen in southern Nigeria, a government official said on Tuesday.

Emmanuel Chindah, the state commissioner for agriculture, told Xinhua on phone that Nigerian security forces are in touch with hostage-takers, saying the details of their discussion cannot be made public.

He said motive for the abduction is still unknown. "Security operatives are in touch with them (kidnappers), we don't want to disturb them, because it is their job, but we hope that they will be free soon," he added.

Chindah declined to say if hostage-takers are demanding ransom for the release of the captives who were seized last Friday.

A source told Xinhua that top diplomats with the Thai Embassy in Nigeria have since relocated to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to help free the four Thais.

The four victims, who were abducted on Friday in the southern state of Rivers, worked on a fish farm managed by Omida Farms, an Israeli company.

There have been several abductions of foreign workers in Nigeria over the years but all have been released after negotiations with the abductors.- Philippines News Agency