Nigeria: Families of abducted Indians evacuated

Family members of Indians working for Indorama company in Rivers state of Nigeria have been evacuated in the wake of kidnapping of 10 compatriot employees of the firm there five days ago.

All the abducted people, including Indorama's managing director Arun Taneja, are reported to be 'okay' and the Indian
government is in touch with the Nigerian authorities to facilitate their early release, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said on Tuesday.

He said the company is negotiating with the abductors and its officials spoke to one of the abductees on Sunday.

The High Commission is facilitating safety of the remaining 40 Indians in the state and their movement, Sarna said.

Family members of the Indian employees of the company have been evacuated to Lagos, he said, adding the Indian High Commission is assisting those who want to return to India.

The High Commission has also issued an advisory cautioning Indians there about their security and travel.

Indorama has sent a director-level officer to Nigeria to negotiate with the kidnappers, Sarna said, hoping that the abductees would be released at an early date.

The High Commission has taken up the matter of Indians' security with Nigerian Foreign Ministry and National Security
Adviser while the External Affairs Ministry took up the issue with the Nigerian High Commission.

The Indian employees of Jakarta-based Indorama were abducted by some armed people after an attack on their
residential complex on June 1.

Two Indians were abducted earlier and their whereabouts are also unknown.