Nigeria on Thursday promised to do everything possible to ensure early release of 12 Indians abducted in that country after the issue came up during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in Berlin.

The Nigerian President assured the prime minister that 'everything possible will be done for safe and speedy return of Indians abducted there,' Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told media persons after the meeting.

The 12 Indians were abducted in two incidents within more than a week.

Of them, 10 employees of Indorama company, including its Managing Director Arun Taneja, were kidnapped in an attack by some armed men at their residential complex in Rivers state on June one.

Replying to questions, Menon said: "They are safe, that we know."

He hoped that the abducted people would be home with their families as soon as possible.

In the wake of the kidnapping, family members of Indians working for Indorama company in Rivers state were evacuated last week.

The company is negotiating with the abductors, with one Director-level officer being deputed from Jakarta for the purpose.

The Indian High Commission is in touch with Nigerian authorities and is facilitating safety of the remaining 40 Indians in the state and their movement.

The High Commission has also issued an advisory cautioning Indians there about their security and travel.

Singh and Obasanjo reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen these.

India considers Nigeria an imporant African country from which it imports 20 per cent of crude oil.