Valetta, Malta  - A Maltese worker has been released a month after being kidnapped in Nigeria, the Maltese government said Wednesday.

George Scerri, who appeared in good health, was released in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to a delegation of Maltese officials in Nigeria.

Scerri, an employee of oil company Lonestar, was kidnapped along with a Pakistani colleague whose whereabouts were not immediately known.

No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and officials did not mention any ransom being paid for Scerri's release.

Unconfirmed reports by Nigerian media said a ransom demand of 5.5 million euros (8.5 million dollars] had been made. (dpa)