Two abducted Koreans freed in Nigeria

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Two abducted Koreans freed in Nigeria

Published: 30 Dec. 2023, 11:07 Updated: 31 Dec. 2023, 14:44

Two Korean workers of Daewoo E&C, center and right, were released on Friday, 17 days after they were kidnapped by an armed group in Nigeria. The photo was provided by Daewoo E&C. [YONHAP]

Two Koreans kidnapped in Nigeria were released on Friday, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced Saturday.

According to local reports, the two construction workers with Daewoo E&C were moving between construction sites in southern Nigeria on Dec. 12 when they were ambushed and kidnapped by an armed group.

Four guards and two drivers, all locals, were killed in the attack, said the Foreign Ministry.

The two Koreans released on Friday were in good health and have been relocated to a safer region, according to the ministry. Daewoo was reportedly working on flying the workers home as soon as possible as of Saturday.

Two Koreans released 17 days after their abduction in southern Nigeria. The photo was provided by Daewoo E&C. [JOONGANG ILBO]

The ministry said it worked closely with the authorities in Nigeria immediately after the kidnapping to secure their release.

There were reportedly around 800 cases of kidnapping in Nigeria this year. The last time a South Korean national was kidnapped in Nigeria was in 2012.

There are around 380 Koreans residing in Nigeria as of 2022.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]