Details of the release are not yet available, except for the statement by Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi Friday night announcing the release of Modesto di Girolamo. He told the Ansa news agency that he is satisfied with the positive outcome and that the foreign ministry had "maximum cooperation" from the Nigerian authorities.

Di Girolamo's family has been informed of his release. The minister praised the cooperation of the Nigerian authorities in the release, a day after a German national who was kidnapped in January was killed by his captors during a failed raid to save him.

The Italian construction engineer was abducted in Kwara state. His company, Borini & Prono, is building a road there. Earlier officials said he was kidnapped Monday afternoon by an unidentified group of armed men.

The engineer had gone on an inspection of the ongoing road construction along Ola-Olu/ CBN quarters, when he was whisked away by the kidnappers at about 5:30 pm on Monday to an unknown destination.