VALLETTA, May 25, 2008 (AFP) - Malta is working through diplomatic channels in an effort to free the Maltese oil worker kidnapped in Nigeria, the government said in a statement.

Malta said it had made contact with Nigerian authorities about Gorg Scerri, 62, who was abducted on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg has been in contact with the Italian Foreign Under Secretary Enzo Scotti in a bid 'to use Italy's contacts and experience in the country'. Borg was also in contact with the British High Commission in Nigeria.

Scerri and a Pakistani were kidnapped Friday by unidentified gunmen in Nigeria's main oil producing zone, the Nigerian military said.

The men, who work for Texas-based drilling company Lonestar, were abducted in Omoku, outside the main oil city Port Harcourt.