The Nigerian kidnappers who hijacked four foreigners, including a Bulgarian, has placed political demands to the Nigerian authorities for their release, revealed Dimitar Tsanchev, spokesman of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Tsanchev told the state-runned BTA that the Nigerian authorities was keeping contacts with the kidnappers of a unknown Nigerian armed group--"Movement for the freedom of the Niger Delta "who claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of four foreigners.

The kidnappers put the political demands that the Nigeran government released an ex governor of Nigerian Bayelsa state, arrested for "money Laundering" and another imprisoned leader of an active armed group in the region of Niger Delta, Tsanchev said.

It's not clear yet whether the kidnappers demand money, nor the current situation of the hostages, Tsanchev added.

The kidnappers and hostages are located near the Niger Delta city Werri. The country's Navy and Land Forces and police have been already gathered on location.

The Bulgarian embassy in Abuja keeps contact with the local authorities and the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom and Honduras, whose citizens are also among the four hostages, said Tschev.

Four foreign workers hired by the local petrol company Tidex were kidnapped on Wednesday evening when they were working on an oilfield on sea.

Nigeria is the biggest oil-export country in Africa with a daily oil production of 2.5 million barrels. But the situation in the oil region of Nigeria remains turbulent. Strikes, kidnappings and extortions take place frequently.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2006)