Nigeria piracy: kidnappers demand $1.2 million ransom for 6 foreigners
Pirates utilize the hidden coves and lack of marine patrol in the Gulf of Guinea to attack ships headed to and from rich port cities in West Africa. Unlike these Somali pirates seen preparing their boat for attacks, the Gulf of Guinea pirates do not usually hold ships for ransom.
Kidnappers active in Western Africa's Gulf of Guinea area on Wednesday refused to release six foreign sailor captives unless paid the equivalent of $1.27 million, according to the Associated Press, citing local police.
Pirates reportedly kidnapped the six off the coast on Nigeria on Sunday, according to security sources cited by Reuters on Tuesday.
Three Ukrainians, two Indians, and one Russian were said to have been taken captive in what would be the third kidnapping incident in Nigerian waters in the last 10 days, said security reports.
The International Maritime Bureau said the attack on the Armada Tuah took place some 40 miles off the Nigerian coast in the Brass oil area, according to Reuters.
Shipping operators often end up paying high ransoms to high-seas kidnappers, particularly for foreign hostages, said AP.
Piracy is on the rise throughout Western Africa's Gulf of Guinea region.