The hostages were captured in a raid on a construction site in the northern state of Bauchi.

BBC: UK

Italian, British, Greek and Lebanese workers are thought to be among those held after an attack on a construction project in Bauchi state.

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An Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers were also seized in the raid on the Setraco construction site, in the northern state of Bauchi.

BBC: Brendan Vaughan

However, elections for powerful state governors will be delayed for two days, until Thursday, in two of the worst affected states - Kaduna and Bauchi, the electoral commission announced.

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The raid was preceded by an attack on the local police station, when two vehicles were blown up, in the town of Jama'are, some 125 miles (200km) north of the state capital, Bauchi.

BBC: Nigeria foreign workers abducted in Bauchi state - police