China on Saturday demanded its embassy in Nigeria make all out efforts to help secure the release of five kidnapped nationals who were working in Nigeria.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao ordered the foreign ministry and China's embassy and consulate in the African country to do everything possible to free the kidnapped telecommunication workers.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said China is actively working with officials in Nigeria to secure the release of the workers.

On Friday morning unidentified armed men kidnapped five Chinese workers in the Rivers State in southern Nigeria. Equipment worth thousands of US dollars was also taken.

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Rivers State is located in the oil-rich but troubled Niger Delta where there have been more than 10 kidnappings of foreign workers since the beginning of 2006. This is the first time that Chinese workers have been kidnapped.

The Nigeria government has vowed to do everything it can to free the hostages as soon as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2007)