2 U.S. sailors kidnapped off Nigerian coast stoking White House's concern over piracy
An American defense official and security sources confirmed the attack early Wednesday on the C-Retriever, a 222-foot vessel owned by a U.S. marine transport group. Piracy remains a major problem in the area, and U.S. Navy officials are working to better patrol the region with local authorities.
Comments (8)REUTERS
Thursday, October 24, 2013, 10:57 AM
� Ho New / Reuters
Attacks off of Nigeria’s coast by pirates have increased this year because it remains a major commodities route.
The White House said on Thursday it is concerned about the rise in piracy off the coast of West Africa, and is seeking more information about reports that pirates have kidnapped two U.S. citizens from an oil supply vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.
"We are seeking additional information so that we can contribute to the safe resolution of the situation," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters at a briefing.
“More broadly, we are concerned by the disturbing increase in the incidence of maritime crime, including incidents of piracy off the coast of West Africa, specifically in the Gulf of Guinea,” Carney said.
RELATED: PIRATES KIDNAP OIL TANKER OFF NIGERIA
Pirates attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped the captain and chief engineer, both U.S. citizens, an American defense official and security sources said on Thursday.
Pirate attacks off Nigeria's coast have jumped by a third this year as ships passing through West Africa's Gulf of Guinea, a major commodities route, have come under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews.
The U.S.-flagged, C-Retriever, a 222-foot (67 meter) vessel owned by U.S. marine transport group Edison Chouest Offshore, was attacked early Wednesday, UK-based security firm AKE and two security sources said. The company was not immediately available for comment.
RELATED: INFAMOUS SOMALI PIRATE ARRESTED IN BELGIUM AFTER BEING LURED BY FILM OFFER
"We are seeking additional information so that we can contribute to the safe resolution of the situation," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters at a briefing.
“More broadly, we are concerned by the disturbing increase in the incidence of maritime crime, including incidents of piracy off the coast of West Africa, specifically in the Gulf of Guinea,” Carney said.
RELATED: PIRATES KIDNAP OIL TANKER OFF NIGERIA
Pirates attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped the captain and chief engineer, both U.S. citizens, an American defense official and security sources said on Thursday.
Pirate attacks off Nigeria's coast have jumped by a third this year as ships passing through West Africa's Gulf of Guinea, a major commodities route, have come under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews.
RELATED: INFAMOUS SOMALI PIRATE ARRESTED IN BELGIUM AFTER BEING LURED BY FILM OFFER
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pirates-attack-vessel-kidnap-2-u-s-sailors-nigerian-coast-article-1.1495222#ixzz2ihX4hbhD
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