BEIJING, Mar 20 (AP) -- Two Chinese workers have been kidnapped in Nigeria, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, the latest in a string of similar incidents.

The workers for a Chinese company were abducted on Saturday in the southern Nigerian state of Anambra by unidentified people carrying weapons, said ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao. He did not give any other details.

"The Chinese side is trying to clarify the situation and has urged the Nigerian side to exert all efforts to rescue the kidnapped," Liu said at a regular news briefing.

As Chinese travel abroad in ever-greater numbers, they are increasingly falling victim to crime, kidnappings and murder, particularly in dangerous and unstable parts of Africa and Asia where Chinese companies have sought contracts.

Foreign workers, especially in the oil industry, have become targets of armed militants seeking a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth. Hostages are normally released unharmed after a ransom is paid.

In January, nine Chinese oil workers were taken when gunmen stormed the government-owned Chinese National Petroleum Co. office in the Nigerian state of Bayelsa. In a separate incident in southern Nigeria's Rivers state the same month, five Chinese telecommunication workers were kidnapped and safely returned within two weeks.

Liu said he hoped Chinese citizens in Nigeria will "pay attention to their own safety" and take precautions.

"We will make the safety of Chinese citizens a top priority and have close cooperation with parties in Nigeria and make all efforts to save the kidnapped workers," he said.