The government said today it had contacted the Nigerian government in an effort to secure the release of a veteran Maltese oil worker, George Scerri, of Birkirkara, kidnapped in Nigeria yesterday. Assistance has also been sought from Italy and the UK.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg had contacts with Italian Under Secretary Enzo Scotti, in order to elist Italian experience and contacts in Nigeria.

Contacts have also been made with the British High Commission in Nigeria.

The group which kidnapped the Maltese worker, along with a Pakistani, so far remains unknown.

The two, who work for Lonestar Drilling, were in a car heading towards an oil rig in Omoku when they were abducted by gunmen.

Earlier this month, the wife of Lonestar’s managing director was kidnapped in an armed attack on their house. They initially demanded a ransom of $10 million which they gradually reduced to a third. She was eventually released unharmed, but it is not known if a ransom was paid.

Lonestar is a contractor to Shell Petroleum Nigeria, Agip and other oil companies.