PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian police in southeast River State has confirmed the abduction of four expatriates by gunmen operating in the oil rich region. One police officer was killed.

State police spokesperson Rita Abbey told Xinhua on phone on Friday that the gunmen numbering about 10 abducted three Syrians and one Lebanese.

"Yes, it is true," she said.

"Our rescue team is still in the bush in Omumma local government of River State where the incident happened," she told Xinhua.