Nigerian police have confirmed that a Romanian engineer has been kidnapped in the oil rich Niger Delta region of the country on Tuesday.

Officers have launched a search for the man in the area of Owa Oyibo, where he was abducted late on Monday, said Celestina Kalu, a spokeswoman for police in Delta state.

The missing worker was working for Dextron Nigeria Ltd, a construction firm, Kalu added.

No group has so far claimed responsibility.

The southern swampland has been hit by a wave of militant attacks on oil and gas facilities and a general breakdown of law. Militants are fighting for a greater share of oil revenues for the impoverished Niger Delta, which is home to much of Nigeria’s oil production.

The abduction comes amid ever increasing tensions in the region where the future of the countries entire oil industry is put at risk.