Briton seized by Nigerian gunmen

Trouble has escalated in the Niger Delta region in recent days

A British national has been kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

The man, originally from Scotland, was reportedly a former employee of the Indo Rama petrochemicals firm and was seized by a five-strong gang.

More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped by militants in the Niger Delta, the heart of the country's oil industry, since 2006.

Almost all have been released but rebel action has disrupted oil supplies.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm a British national was kidnapped on 15 September in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

"Nigerian authorities are taking the lead in the investigation into the incident and our officials are in touch with them."

Trouble escalating

The Foreign Office confirmed the man was Scottish-born.

He is believed to be a businessman from Aberdeen who has lived in Nigeria for several years.

The incident came as trouble escalated in the oil-rich West African country.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed to have blown up a pipeline operated by Royal Dutch Shell, while security forces were said to have held off an armed attack on a Chevron Corporation oil platform.

Gun battles along the region's rivers and creeks have left at least nine militants and several members of the armed forces dead, along with some civilians.