The Kaduna State Police Command had confirmed that two German Archeologists who were working at the NOK Archeological Centre in Kagarko, Kaduna State, have been kidnapped.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Usman told journalists that the two men, who have worked at the centre for more than 10 years, were kidnapped at one of the excavation sites.

Usman said that the abduction occurred Wednesday morning and was reported to the police by villagers.

“The case was reported by locals and we have swung into action to rescue them,” he said.

“Presently the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command have been deployed to the area and is being assisted by patrol teams.

“In addition, the Police Special Forces deployed to southern Kaduna by the Inspector General of Police have also joined the search for the two Germans.”

Earlier reports had given the names of those abducted as Peter Breunig, a professor, and Johannes Buringer.

The professor is said to be the leader of a four-man team from the University of Frankfurt, Germany, who are working in collaboration with the National Commission for Museum and Monuments on the relics of Nok culture in Nigeria.

“So far, there has been no ransom demand or contact from the abductors,” Usman said.

He noted that there are policemen attached to the Germans but “unfortunately the victims did not go to site with the policemen attached to them for security.”