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Nigeria: Pirates hijack Singapore-owned oil tanker Nigeria: Pirates hijack Singapore-owned oil tanker
(about 2 hours later)
Pirates have hijacked a Singapore-owned oil tanker off the coast of Nigeria, a navy spokesman has told the BBC. Pirates have hijacked a Singapore-owned oil tanker off the coast of Nigeria.
Jerry Omodara said it was not clear where the vessel had been taken to and efforts were being made to track it. A Nigerian navy spokesman told the BBC two ships and a helicopter are trying to rescue the Abu Dhabi Star.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) told the AFP news agency that 23 crew members were on board when the tanker was captured and they had locked themselves in a safe room. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) told the AFP news agency that 23 crew members were on board when the tanker was captured on Tuesday night.
Analysts say piracy is increasing in parts of West Africa. The navy denied reports that the tanker was seized in Lagos port, saying it happened at sea and the vessel was now about 25km (15 miles) off the coast.
In the first six month of this year, the International Maritime Bureau says it has recorded 17 pirate attacks in Nigerian waters this year - a significant increase on 2011. There has been a significant increase in the number of pirate attacks in parts of West Africa.
Navy spokesman Kabir Aliyu told Reuters news agency the vessel was called the Abu Dhabi Star and that it had been hijacked on Tuesday night about 14 nautical miles from the port of Lagos. The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says instead of seeking a hefty ransom the armed gangs tend to steal the cargo before releasing the crew.
Noel Choong, head of the IMB's Malaysia-based piracy reporting centre, told AFP those behind the attack may be the same criminal syndicate that seized two tankers off Togo last month, siphoned off the oil and later released the crew and ships. Noel Choong, head of the IMB's Malaysia-based piracy reporting centre, said the crew members had locked themselves in a safe room.
Lt Commander Omodara said a helicopter and two navy ships were trying to locate and rescue the tanker. "We are concerned about their safety and the spate of hijackings," he told AFP.
But he said those behind the attack may be the same criminal syndicate that seized two tankers off Togo last month, siphoned off the oil and later released the crew and ships.
Last year, Nigeria and neighbouring Benin began joint naval patrols in an effort to combat the threat of pirates.Last year, Nigeria and neighbouring Benin began joint naval patrols in an effort to combat the threat of pirates.