SYDNEY, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Three Australians as well as a person from New Zealand who were released after being held hostage in Nigeria are not yet fit to return home, AAP reported on Tuesday.
The men, who work for Perth-based mining company Macmahon Holdings, were still undergoing health checks, after they were kidnapped last Wednesday near the city of Calabar.
The men have been taken to a safe location, although Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop did not confirm if the men had left Nigeria yet.
"The precise details of their location are not being made public but I am assured by the company that they are being looked after, they are in safe hands," Bishop told reporters in Perth on Tuesday.
"I'm relieved that we've kept in touch with their families. It was obviously a very traumatic situation."
It has been reported two Australians had serious injuries although were in a stable condition.
"I understand they are going through health checks at present," she said.
"They are being looked after and I hope they can come home as soon as possible."
Bishop however refused to state if the company had paid a ransom for the men's return.
"I understand there were negotiations with the company -- that's obviously a matter for the company," Bishop said.
"The Australian government was dealing on a government-to-government level."
