A statement purportedly issued by the Jamaatu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudan has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of seven foreigners in Bauchi on Sunday.

In the statement, the group claimed they were acting "Base on the transgression and atrocities done to the religion of Allah SWT by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan and Mali etc".

Gunmen yesterday kidnapped seven expatriate workers in Jama'are local government in Bauchi State. Gunmen kidnapped the foreigners and killed a security guard when they stormed the Lebanese construction company Setraco.

Those abducted were a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers, including two women, police and local government officials said.

In the statement, the group warned of dire consequences if any attempt was made to free the victims.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi state government has described the acts as outrageous, criminal and barbaric.

In a press release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Mr Ishola Michael Adeyemi, said the state government condemned it in strong terms.

"We condemn the act in all its ramifications, the dastardly act which also included the burning down of a Police station and forceful attempt to enter the Prisons."

The Government assured that it will do all within its powers, in conjunction with the Federal security agencies in the state, to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and the bringing of the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice in accordance with the relevant laws of the country.