A Nigerian actress cum government official identified as Nkiru Sylvanus was on Sunday afternoon kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the southeastern state of Imo and a ransom has been demanded by her abductors, according to security sources.

Commissioner for information in Imo State Chinadu Offor confirmed the abduction to reporters, but declined to speak further on the demands of the kidnappers.

Security sources in the state told a Xinhua reporter that the actress was kidnapped by gunmen at about 2:30 p.m. local time.

"The kidnappers have started contacting people close to the actress and a ransom of 100 million naira (approximately 634,316 U. S. dollars) has been demanded," a security said on condition of anonymity.

The source said local police authorities had been contacted to rescue the victim and fish out her abductors.

The kidnapped actress had made more than 100 appearances in different Nigerian movies. Apart from acting, she was appointed last year as the special adviser on public affairs to the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha. She still holds the position till date.

The actress' abduction occurred exactly a week after 82-year- old Kamene Okonjo, mother of Nigerian Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was kidnapped. Fortunately, Okonjo was released by her abductors on Friday afternoon in Nigeria's oil-rich Delta State.

Kidnapping, gunmen attacks and suicide bombing have become more frequently in Nigeria in recent years.