Abuja: The Captain and chief engineer of a
cargo vessel were killed Monday by pirates operating off the
coast of Nigeria's commercial capital of Lagos, International
Maritime Bureau (IMB) said.
"Armed pirates chased and fired upon a drifting bulk
carrier. Vessel raised alarm and headed towards Lagos. All
crew except the bridge team took shelter in the citadel. But
due to the continuous firing the Captain and the C/E were
shot," IMB said on its website.
Cyrus Mody, a manager at the IMB, said the vessel's
captain and chief engineer "were killed in the shooting."
The maritime watchdog said it alerted Nigerian
authorities immediately after the attack. Three attacks took
place in the area since Thursday, it added.
The incident took place 90 nautical miles off Lagos and
IMB warned sailors to keep off the zone.
Hijacking and attacks on ships by pirates are common in
Nigeria waters.
Last July, an oil vessel was hijacked off Nigerian waters
with its crew which included Indians and Filipinos but later
it was set free by pirates.
A similar incident in mid-July saw a Greek oil tanker
being hijacked with its 20 crew members by armed men.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 13, 2012, 21:09