Kidnapped oil worker released in Nigeria

Kidnapped oil worker released in Nigeria

LAGOS: A local employee of U.S. oil giant ChevronTexaco in Nigeria who was abducted last week has been released, the company said on Saturday.

The worker, who was not named, was kidnapped on July 25 allegedly by the Egbema National Front, an Ijaw ethnic group, in Warri in the Niger Delta region, which is home to much of Nigeria's multi-billion dollar oil and gas resources.

The worker was released following the intervention of community leaders and the region's state government, Chevron said in a statement here.

"The employee who was later handed over to officials of the Delta State government has rejoined his family and colleagues," it said.

The company said the release would halt a planned strike by the white-collar oil union PENGASSAN to protest the kidnapping.

The Niger delta frequently sees ethnic unrest and attacks on oil companies.