Terror splinter group claims Nigeria kidnap

A shadowy Islamic extremist group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of seven foreign building workers in northern Nigeria.

In a statement, the group that calls itself Ansaru claimed the kidnapping of the one British citizen, one Greek, one Italian, three Lebanese and one Filipino on Saturday night.

Ansaru also warned that Nigerian and European authorities should not "act contrary to our conditions." The short statement offered no conditions, suggesting ransom demands would follow.

The kidnapping happened in Jama'are, a town about 125 miles north of Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi state.

Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north has been under attack by the radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram over the last two years. Ansaru is a new group that recently sprung up in the region.

AP