Two German archaeologists kidnapped in Nigeria have been freed

Police said that no ransom was paid and the two Germans were freed after being kidnapped in Kaduna state. They were seized near a road between Abuja and Kaduna.

The two Germans had been abducted on Wednesday during excavation work at Jajela village in Kaduna state.

No ransom was paid when they were freed late on Saturday, a police official said, without giving details.

The men were kidnapped along a road running from Abuja to Kaduna, which will soon serve as a temporary entry point for visitors to the capital, Abuja. The main airport in Abuja will be closed for repairs for six weeks beginning in early March.

During that time those travelling to the capital via air will have to land in Kaduna and then make the 100 mile (160 km) journey to Abuja by bus.

Kidnappings for ransom are not uncommon in Nigeria, and several have occurred along this stretch of road in recent years. One victim, last summer, was Sierra Leone's deputy high commissioner.

Most international airlines have said they will not fly into Kaduna, and some embassies in the capital are trying to limit staff travel while the airport is being repaired.