NNPC confirms kidnap of oil research team by Boko Haram

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has confirmed the kidnap by Boko Haram militants of  10 members of the University of Maiduguri research team prospecting for oil in northeast Nigeria.

NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu said the men, working as consultants were kidnapped near Jibi village in Borno state on Tuesday afternoon. The village is in Magumeri local government area, about 50 km (30 miles) from the state capital, Maiduguri.

“About 10 members of the University of Maiduguri geology and surveying department were abducted by suspected Boko Haram members,” Ughamadu said. The group included academic staff, drivers and other contractors.

The university said some of its lecturers, who were accompanied by security staff, had not returned on Tuesday from a prospecting trip. Its spokesman said the university was waiting for a report from security agencies.

NAN