ABUJA, Nigeria, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Five workers with British energy company Afren were kidnapped from an offshore oil rig by Nigerian rebels, the company said.
Afren said five crew members were kidnapped and two others were injured in what is believed to be the worst such attack in more than a year.
The company said in a statement that a "security breach" occurred at an offshore rig preparing to drill at the Okoro field.
Two crew members were evacuated by helicopter to clinics on shore after suffering "wounds to the leg," the company added.
"It is believed that five crew members have been taken hostage," the company added. Drilling at Okoro was suspended.
London's Telegraph newspaper said no group has taken responsibility for the attack.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the main militant group in Nigeria, claimed responsibility for a deadly attack during the country's 50th anniversary of independence in October.
Delta militants said they regretted the loss of lives but blamed the government for not heeding warnings of the attack.
