The South Korean foreign ministry announced on Saturday that the two citizens kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria earlier this month have been safely released.

The abduction occurred when assailants ambushed their convoy in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a region known for oil production, on December 12. Tragically, the attack resulted in the deaths of four soldiers guarding the group and two civilian drivers.

In a statement, the foreign ministry revealed, “On Friday, we secured custody of the two abducted Korean citizens. Both people are currently in good health, and after a hospital checkup, they moved to a safe area and spoke with their families.”

While the Niger Delta has experienced a reduction in militant attacks over the years, the region remains volatile, facing challenges such as crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. These issues continue to impact Nigeria’s oil output.