Kidnappers abducted an Egyptian oil worker early Friday from a ship off Nigeria’s coast after seizing control of the vessel for several hours before leaving, the military said.
The whereabouts of the victim were unclear after the incident aboard a ship carrying supplies for Italian oil firm Agip, said Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Antigha. There was also no word on whether a ransom had been demanded.
“Those involved are suspected to be sea pirates,” Antigha said, adding that he did not have detailed information on the attack. “The vessel was later released.”
The abduction occurred near the Bonny export terminal off the Niger Delta, the country’s main oil-producing region.
The Niger Delta region has been hit by scores of attacks and kidnappings in recent years, both by militants claiming to be fighting for a fairer distribution of oil revenue and criminal gangs seeking ransom payments.
An amnesty in 2009 greatly reduced unrest in the region, but incidents continue to occur.