A South African sports journalist and two Nigerian colleagues have been kidnapped in Nigeria's restive oil-producing Niger Delta region, South African media reported on Tuesday.

The reports said the three, from the SuperSport satellite channel, were kidnapped near Warri, an oil industry hub, as they headed for the airport on Monday.

"Police were reportedly trying to establish their whereabouts on Tuesday, but declined to comment on the matter," said South Africa's Eye Witness News.

Foreigners, usually working for oil firms, have frequently been kidnapped for ransom in the Niger Delta. Wealthy Nigerians are also targets for the kidnappers.

Thousands of gunmen put down their weapons last year as part of a presidential amnesty aimed at oil militants, but critics say common criminals were among those pardoned and that crime will rise as former rebels seek other sources of income.
 

Source: Reuters