US issues warnings after 2 citizens killed during kidnapping attempts in Nigeria

US warns of Nigerian kidnappings after 2 deaths

LAGOS, Nigeria — The U.S. government is warning its citizens about rising violent attacks in Nigeria after two Americans died in separate kidnappings in April.

The State Department announced the two deaths in a new travel warning for Nigeria issued Monday. In the statement, the State Department said six foreign nationals had been killed in kidnappings since 2009, including the two U.S. citizens.

The State Department said more than 110 expatriates have been kidnapped in Nigeria since January 2009.

Militants in the Nigeria’s southern delta have targeted oil workers for kidnapping in the past during their campaign to bring more oil money to a region that suffered environmental damage and economic neglect over 50 years of production. Criminal gangs also kidnap foreigners and wealthy Nigerians for ransom.