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Nigeria: Pirates hijack Singapore-owned oil tanker Nigerian navy frees hijacked Singapore-owned oil tanker
(about 2 hours later)
Pirates have hijacked a Singapore-owned oil tanker off the coast of Nigeria. Nigeria's navy says it has rescued a Singapore-owned oil tanker hijacked by pirates on Tuesday night.
A Nigerian navy spokesman told the BBC two ships and a helicopter are trying to rescue the Abu Dhabi Star. Navy spokesman Kabir Aliyu told the BBC the crew was safe, the hijackers had fled and the vessel, the Abu Dhabi Star, was being escorted into the port of Lagos.
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. Earlier, the navy denied reports that the tanker was seized in the port.
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.
There has been a significant increase in the number of pirate attacks in parts of West Africa.There has been a significant increase in the number of pirate attacks in parts of West Africa.
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.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, said the crew members 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 and they had locked themselves in a safe room.
"We are concerned about their safety and the spate of hijackings," he told AFP. Noel Choong, head of the IMB's Malaysia-based piracy reporting centre, 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.
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.