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| Leave Niger Delta, Britons urged | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Britons have been advised by the government to leave three states in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta. | Britons have been advised by the government to leave three states in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta. |
| In updates to travel advice on the Foreign Office website on Friday citizens were warned that Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States are unsafe. | In updates to travel advice on the Foreign Office website on Friday citizens were warned that Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States are unsafe. |
| The site states this is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks. | The site states this is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks. |
| A Briton was one of four foreign oil workers kidnapped in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, last week. | A Briton was one of four foreign oil workers kidnapped in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, last week. |
| Since January last year, 31 British nationals and more than 180 foreigners have been kidnapped in the area. One Briton has been killed. | Since January last year, 31 British nationals and more than 180 foreigners have been kidnapped in the area. One Briton has been killed. |
| In its travel advice, the Foreign Office says British nationals who do stay in the region do so at their own risk. | In its travel advice, the Foreign Office says British nationals who do stay in the region do so at their own risk. |
| It states this is because "of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas". | |
| It also advises those who do stay in the three states that they are doing so "at their own risk" and says they should take professional security advice. | |
| Most foreigners who go to the area, such as oil workers, already travel there with armed police escorts. | |
| Recent attacks in the area have led to a 25% cut in Nigeria's oil production. | |
| 'Very serious' situation | |
| Those on ships and oil rigs off the coast of the Delta should also be aware of the "high risk of kidnappings and other armed attacks", the Foreign Office said. | |
| Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran, who has campaigned for tougher travel advice for oil workers travelling to the region, said the situation had become "very, very serious". | |
| The UK government, the Nigerian government and private security firms could guarantee the safety of Britons, he said. | |
| He added: "I think the oil companies have to look seriously about whether or not they can continue to work there." |