Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, said that the police was now working with the Nigerian Navy to ensure that the victims were released unharmed.
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She had earlier said that only two of the kidnapped were Australians, and one was a New Zealander, while another police officer said a South African had been abducted.
They were attacked on the outskirts of the city of Calabar at about 5.30am on Wednesday local time (1630 NZT), police said.
Prime Minister John Key says he was advised last night a New Zealander was one of four people kidnapped on his way to work for an Australian mining company in Nigeria but the Government would not pay a ransom for the Kiwi’s release.
“We have not established any contacts with their abductor but I can assure you we are on top of the situation”, Ozi-Obeh added. “The driver of the vehicle was shot dead”. The others were from Australia and Nigeria.
According to local media reports, about 30 militants ambushed the vehicle near the Idundun Bridge crossing over a river.
An eyewitness, Akan Akpan, said the kidnappers came out from the bridge where they had kept their boat steaming for nearly an hour before taking the expatriates and the Nigerians away.
A source told the publication the men were being driven to their workplace in four vehicles and escorted by security – when they were attacked.
“They ambushed them and killed [the driver] on the spot”. One of the expatriates hid under the vehicle and they didn’t see him because it was still a bit dark.
Macmahon has a seven-year contract for quarrying operations near Calabar in Nigeria, one of two operation Macmahon’s has running in the country.
‘Macmahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation, ‘ said Viola Graham-Douglas, a spokeswoman for Lafarge Africa.
Kidnappings for ransom are a common occurrence in south-east Nigeria, an oil mining area where many foreign companies are operating.
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A spokesman for Macmahon in Perth said he had been told not to comment for fear of jeopardising the safety of the kidnapped workers.
