Two workers from a Chinese company have been kidnapped in Nigeria, a spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.

"Two workers of a Chinese company were abducted on Saturday in the southern Nigerian state of Anambra by unidentified kidnappers carrying weapons," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Tuesday.

He did not identify the workers or the company that employed them.

The incident follows the separate kidnappings in January of nine Chinese oil workers and five telecommunications workers in Nigeria. All were later released unharmed.

"Chinese officials are trying to clarify the situation, and have urged the Nigerian side to exert all efforts to secure their safe return," Liu said.

He urged Chinese citizens in Nigeria to pay attention to their safety and to remain cautious.

The foreign ministry also posted safety advisories on its website for Chinese traveling to Nigeria, he said.

"The Chinese government will make the safety of Chinese citizens a top priority and closely cooperate with parties in Nigeria and make all efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped workers," he said.

Source: Xinhua