Two kidnapped foreign oil workers released in Nigeria

Lagos: A private security official says two foreign oil workers kidnapped from an oil services vessel off the coast of Nigeria have been released.

The official says a Russian and a Mexican were released late on Tuesday night along with their Nigerian co-worker. The three were seized by unknown gunmen Dec. 4 about 19 kilometres from the coast of Nigeria's restive southern oil region.

The security official gave no further details and spoke on condition of anonymity due to company prohibitions on dealing with the media.

Nigerian military and police officials were not immediately available for comment.

Foreign workers are often seized in the oil-rich delta region and its surrounding waters. Hostages are normally released unharmed after a ransom is paid.