Pirates ‘on speedboats’ kidnap 10 Turkish sailors off coast of Nigeria

Hostages have not been heard from since they were taken

The Gulf of Guinea has been described as the most dangerous area in the world for piracy (PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

Armed pirates attacked a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped 10 of the Turkish vessel’s crew members.

Shipping company Kadioglu Denizcilik said its Paksoy-1 cargo ship was attacked off the Gulf of Guinea as it sailed from Cameroon to Ivory Coast without freight.

Another eight sailors were safely aboard the Turkish-flagged ship, the company said.

“According to initial information, there were no injuries or casualties. Efforts for all our personnel to be safely released continue,” Kadioglu said in a statement.

Private NTV television said the pirates approached the ship on speed boats and took 10 crew members as hostages, who have not been heard from since.

NTV said the eight remaining crew members were rescued and taken to Guinea.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the spokesman for Turkey‘s ruling AK Party said the government was closely following the matter and called for the sailors to be returned safely.

Kidnappings and piracy for ransom in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea are common.

Last week, the International Maritime Bureau described the Gulf of Guinea as the most dangerous area in the world for piracy.

It said 73 per cent of all sea kidnappings and 92 per cent of hostage-takings took place in the Gulf of Guinea.