The United States called for the unconditional release of three American oil workers abducted in Nigeria on Saturday and said it was working with Nigeria's government to try to secure their freedom, according to Reuters. Militants seeking more local control over the vast oil wealth of the Niger Delta region stormed an offshore barge operated by U.S. oil services company Willbros Group Inc. in predawn attacks and abducted nine workers -- three Americans, one Briton, two Thais, two Egyptians and a Filipino. "We can now confirm reports that three American oil workers have been taken hostage in Nigeria. We call for their unconditional release and are working with the Nigerian government on this," said State Department official Noel Clay. Michael Collier, vice president of investor relations for Willbros, said he could not release the identities of the employees involved until they were confirmed and their families notified. "We have a crisis management team already in action," he said by telephone from Houston. The company was gathering information and could not discuss details, he said. Willbros said later it had no plans to move any of its 3,000 employees out of the country. Royal Dutch/Shell Group said it withdrew its staff from its EA oilfield in Nigeria.
