PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Gunmen in Nigeria on Saturday released a Briton kidnapped more than two weeks ago in the oil hub Port Harcourt, a military spokesman said.

"David Melford, a Briton married to a Nigerian who was kidnapped two weeks ago, was released at 0400 hours (0300 GMT)," said Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, spokesman for the military task force in Rivers state.

Five gunmen on Sept. 15 kidnapped Melford, a former employee of the petrochemicals firm Indo Rama. Musa said no ransom was paid for his release.

More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, the heart of Nigeria's oil sector, since early 2006. Almost all have been released unharmed. (Reporting by Austin Ekeinde; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

AlertNet news is provided by