Gunmen have kidnapped two Lebanese construction workers in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, and are demanding a ransom for their release.

The men were working for Setraco, a local engineering company which specializes in building roads and bridges, when they were kidnapped near the town of Amassoma in Bayelsa State.

The management of Setraco was not available for immediate comment, while military and police officials are yet to confirm the report.

Meanwhile, head of French oil group Total, said that the company is assessing its presence in the country, because of the series of kidnappings, and warned that any pull-out would cause a surge in oil prices, which has hit a record high in recent times.

Chief Executive, Christophe De Margerie told a French parliamentary committee that the company is asking itself the question about staying in Nigeria any further.

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Citing Nigeria’s daily output of 2.0 million barrels of oil, the Total chief said that a withdrawal by his company, or any other multinational would "confront Nigeria with a veritable energy shortage and prices would surge.