ABUJA, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Gunmen in Nigeria have demanded $12 million for the release of an Israeli expatriate kidnapped earlier this week at his home in the southern oil city of Port Harcourt, an Israeli embassy source said on Friday.

Four gunmen late on Tuesday abducted the 60-year-old project manager, who works for Israeli construction firm Gilmor Engineering Limited, and fled by stealing his vehicle.

The embassy official, who asked not to be named, said the gunmen did not give a deadline for the ransom payment.

More than 200 foreigners have been seized in the Niger Delta, the heart of Nigeria's oil industry, since early 2006. Almost all have been released unharmed. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by Nick Tattersall)

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