7 Hostages Released in Nigeria

Gunmen have released seven kidnapped oil industry workers — five foreigners seized from a rig a week ago and two senior Nigerian managers taken captive last weekend, police and company officials said Wednesday, AP reported.

Nigerian security forces helped negotiate the release of the five foreigners, Bayelsa state police spokesman Inyebom Inidong said. The two New Zealanders, one Australian, one Venezuelan and one Lebanese were subcontractors to oil giant Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

In neighboring Rivers state, two senior Shell employees also were released, company spokesman Precious Okolobo said. The two were among 15 Shell employees attacked when they went to repair a vandalized pipeline Saturday.