ABIA, Nigeria, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The police in oil rich Nigeria's Abia State has confirmed the release of the two German nationals abducted by gunmen operating in the region.

State police spokesperson Ali Okechukwu confirmed this to Xinhua on Saturday night.

The two, both male, were kidnapped on Sunday as they were heading to their vehicle at the beach at Imo River of the state.

Okechukwu said the police was not directly involved in the rescue and he was not sure any ransom was paid.

Meanwhile, a German Embassy official in Abuja also confirmed the release but she did not provide more details.

The Niger Delta is an unstable area where inter-ethnic clashes are commonplace. Access to oil revenue is the main trigger for the violence.

Over 300 foreigners have been seized in the Niger Delta since 2006. Almost all have been released unharmed after paying a ransom.