ANKARA (AA) – Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said on Tuesday that efforts were underway to secure the safe release of an Australian professor and seven locals, including three university graduates, who had been kidnapped by armed men in a remote region of the country.

On Sunday, an Australian academic, three researchers from the University of Papua NewGuinea, and four guides were kidnapped by a criminal group while on a fieldwork assignment in Fogomaiyu village, bordering the Southern Highlands in Hela and Western provinces, according to The Nation.

However, the kidnapper later released the local guides and took hostage others, including the Australian professor.

“Missionaries who have served in the area for a long time are working with locals as intermediaries to negotiate the safe release of the Australian," as well as some Papua New Guineans, Prime Minister James Marape was quoted as saying in the daily.

“This morning, there was positive news that they are alive and villagers on the ground have also been assisting in negotiations to get them out, so I’m confident, I’m optimistic, I’m prayerful that we will get them out,” he added.

According to Australian media, the archaeology professor, whose name has not been disclosed due to security reasons, is a resident of Australia and a citizen of New Zealand.

The Papua New Guinea police said the incident occurred in a remote area and that they are working to ensure the detainees' safe release because the situation is "delicate."

“Security personnel are operating within set rules of engagement in dealing with these, with the safety of the innocent being their top priority, our specialized security force will use all means, including the use of lethal force, to provide for the safety and security of the people being held,” said Police Commissioner David Manning.

He warned the criminals that failing to comply with police orders and resisting arrest could cost them their lives.

“There is a way out for the abductors. They can release their captives and they will be treated fairly through the criminal justice system, but failure to comply and resisting arrest could cost them their lives,” he added.