CLARO

Suspected armed militants attacked a Chinese oil company in the Southern Nigeria state, Bayelsa, Thursday, kidnapping at least two Chinese workers.

Bayelsa State Police Commissioner Hafiz Ringim confirmed the attack. He says one of the assailants died, following a shoot-out with security forces.

Gunmen also broke into the finance offices of the China Petroleum Company and stole some money.

Some 100 hostages--mainly workers in the oil industry--have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, in the past year.

Thursday's abduction was the second involving Chinese this month in the restive oil-rich region. Five Chinese telecom workers seized by unidentified gunmen on January 5 were released last week.

Until recently, China felt immune from attack, because of secret protection payments to the main separatist group fighting for a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth. But rival groups have stepped up their campaign to cripple the multibillion-dollar oil industry--and profit from the kidnappings.

The Niger Delta violence has cut Nigerian oil output by more than 25 percent.

In line with the Chinese experience, hostages are often released after a few days or weeks in captivity, with the payment of ransom. A group of 24 Filipinos, abducted last week, is still being held.