Two militia groups from Cameroon’s Bakassi peninsula have claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of 10 men from an oil vessel.

The captives, who include six Frenchmen, two Cameroonese, one Tunisian and one Senegalese, were seized by gunmen who attacked the vessel in speedboats overnight. The boat was contracted by French oil giant Total.

The captors have threatened to kill the men within three days if the government of Cameroon refuses to negotiate with them.

The Bakassi peninsula, which is rich in oil, gas and fish reserves, has long been a source of conflict in the region. A decision by Nigeria to hand back the territory to Cameroon in August sparked renewed unrest.

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