Seven men, including three Australians and a New Zealander abducted in Nigeria last week have been released, according to a statement issued to media by their Australian employer.

The men, who worked for Perth-based mining company Macmahon Holdings, were kidnapped after an attack by gunmen on the outskirts of the city of Calabar on Wednesday.

“Five of the men have been injured, two of them seriously, and all are currently receiving attention from a team of medical specialists. The two uninjured men are also undergoing medical assessment,” the company said in the statement.

A Nigerian driver was shot dead in the attack, while a fourth Australian man managed to escape.

Kidnap-for-ransom is a longstanding issue in southern Nigeria, where gangs target expatriate workers.

The head of McMahon Holdings, Sy van Dyk, has praised the men for the courage they displayed throughout the ordeal.

“Our men have been through a traumatic experience, and we have mobilised medical and other support teams in Nigeria to provide immediate support.

“I also thank the men’s families for working so closely with the company during what has been an extremely difficult time for them as well. They too have endured an incredibly stressful experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop this morning told reporters today that no ransom was paid for the men’s release.

“That is because we do not want to increase the security risks for Australians travelling overseas,” she said.

“It is a longstanding policy of Australian Governments, a bipartisan policy we do not pay ransom.”

-TiVi Tuan-san