Britons 'kidnapped From Nigerian Oil Rig'

Government officials are today investigating reports that up to six British workers have been abducted from an offshore oil rig in Nigeria.

The rig's owner said eight foreign workers - six British, one American and one Canadian - were abducted in an attack on the platform in the early hours of this morning. They have not been named.

Norwegian company Fred Olsen Energy ASA said drilling had been temporarily suspended at the Bulford Dolphon rig, off the coast of Warri, in the south of the country, and the authorities were working to resolve the situation.

The Foreign Office said it was aware of the kidnapping reports and was "urgently looking into them".

"We are in touch with both the Nigerian authorities and the men's company, and are making urgent efforts to find out more information," a spokeswoman said. "These types of situations are not unusual in Nigeria, and we take them very seriously."

Oil-related kidnappings have become increasingly common in Nigeria, which is Africa's leading oil exporter.

Earlier this year, Briton Nigel Watson-Clarke was held for 19 days after armed rebels seized him and three other foreign workers from an offshore oil platform.

The Bulford Dolphon rig is operated by Dolphin Drilling, an Aberdeen-based company, for the Nigerian oil firm Peak Petroleum.