Two Chinese workers have been kidnapped in Nigeria, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry confirmed yesterday.

"Two workers from 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 in Beijing yesterday.

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 the safe return of the workers," Liu said.

He urged Chinese citizens in Nigeria to pay close attention to their safety and 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 to make all efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped workers," he said.

Foreign workers, especially in the oil industry, have become targets of armed militants seeking a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth. Hostages are normally released unharmed after a ransom is paid.

More than 60 foreigners have been kidnapped since January.

In January, nine Chinese oil workers were taken hostage when gunmen stormed the government-owned Chinese National Petroleum Co office in the Nigerian state of Bayelsa.In a separate incident in southern Nigeria's Rivers state the same month, five Chinese telecommunication workers were kidnapped and safely returned within two weeks.