PARIS (Reuters) - Two French citizens kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria early last month have been freed, France's foreign ministry said on Saturday.
The two had been seized near Nigeria's oil industry hub ofPort Harcourt in the restive Niger Delta on August 2.
The French foreign ministry said in a statement the pair,who were freed on Friday, were expected back in France in thenext few days.
"France thanks the Nigerian authorities for theirassistance in achieving this happy outcome," the ministrystatement said.
Insecurity in Nigeria, the world's eighth-largest oilexporter, has cut crude output by around a fifth sincemilitants launched a campaign of sabotage in early 2006 topress for greater development in their neglected communities.
Criminal gangs have taken advantage of the breakdown in lawand order, frequently kidnapping businessmen, local politiciansand foreign workers for ransom.
(Reporting by Astrid Wendlandt; Editing by Charles Dick)
