Nigeria: Seven limestone quarry workers are in the hands of kidnappers in Nigeria after a deadly roadside attack. The men were in a group driving on the outskirts of the city of Calabar, Cross River State, when they were attacked by gunmen on 22 June 2016. The Nigerian driver of the vehicle was shot dead, while seven - three Australians, two Nigerians, one South African and one New Zealander - were kidnapped. A fourth Australian was able to escape.
The men were working for Australia-based mining company Macmahon Holdings, which mines material for processing at Lafarge Africa's UniCem cement plant at Mfamosing, in the southeast of Nigeria.
Eyewitness Akan Akpan said the kidnappers had fled with the seven men in a boat. "The kidnappers came out from the bridge, shot the driver of the vehicle and took the victims away through on river," he told Nigeria’s Punch.
The identity of the kidnappers is not known. “We are working to ensure the safe return of all the men involved and are in communication with their families," said Macmahon in a statement.
