Three Chinese workers were abducted by unidentified kidnappers on Tuesday in Calabar, the capital city of Nigeria's southern Cross River State, company sources told Xinhua on Thursday.

The workers, all employees of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, were seized near the company's compound in Calabar, according to a company official.

According to the official, who asked for anonymity, the abduction took place at about 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday when the three workers were in a vehicle heading for their accommodation.

The vehicle, which was deliberately abandoned by the kidnappers, was found at 6 p.m. (1700 GMT) at the areas between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, with a letter inside to demand for an unknown amount of ransom, said the official.

It is learned that the company, with the help of local police, is in touch with the kidnappers and negotiations are underway.

Officials of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria also confirmed the seizure.

Cross River State, adjacent to Cameroon, is one of Nigeria's tourism destinations.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2008)