Joint efforts with Nigerians to rescue Chinese hostage underway

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-09-2007 09:32

A Chinese task force has arrived in Port Harcourt in Nigeria, where five Chinese workers were kidnapped.

The group arrived in Nigeria Monday morning. It will coordinate with the Nigerian government and police to help pave the way for an early release of the five workers from the Chinese telecommunication company.

Nigeria's government has vowed to do everything it can to free the hostages. Nigerian police have said they will work quickly to break up the armed group that committed the kidnapping.

According to Xinhua News Agency, an unnamed powerful regional leader from Rivers is offering assistance to the Chinese rescue group.

Last Friday morning unidentified armed men kidnapped the five workers in Rivers State. The kidnappers also took valuable gear such as handsets, totaling about four thousand US dollars. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

It is still anyone's guess whether the five Chinese hostages will be released safe and sound. But alarm bells are ringing as the kidnapping raises questions about the safety of the increasing number of Chinese working overseas which needs to be high on the agenda of China's diplomatic missions.

Editor:Du Xiaodan