Pirates Kidnap Americans: Search Continues For 2 U.S. Servicemen Captured On Vessel Off Nigeria's Coast (Video)

By

Pirates attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped two U.S. crew men, including an American captain and chief engineer, security sources confirmed, as reported by Reuters. The two men were onboard U.S.-flagged oil supply ship, the C-Retriever,in the Gulf of Guinea, according to news reports. The State Department said the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria continue to investigate the incident, although there were no additional details offered.

"We've been concerned by a disturbing increase in the incidents of maritime crime, including piracy, in this area," said Marie Harf, the State Depatment spokeswoman.

The armed pirates reportedly separated the crew by nationality before kidnapping the two Americans, as reported by ABC News. The assault occurred during the early hours. "American authorities are treating the case as a potential kidnapping-for-ransom and not a politically-motivated act," ABC News also reported.

"The initial demands will probably be ridiculously high and you can infer from that who you are dealing with. Are these people skilled? Do they have professional negotiators?... Do we know who this group is and is their end game actually money? Because if it is, I'm happy. I'm pleased and now I know it can be a negotiable end," commented Jack Cloonan, a former senior FBI who work with Clayton Consultants, specializing "in international piracy, kidnapping and extortion."

The "vast oil-rich Gulf of Guinea borders 11 West African nations is one of the most important trade routes for oil imported by the United States. Nearly 30 % of U.S. oil imports passes through the gulf, which is nearly the size of the Gulf of Mexico," The Los Angeles Times reported.

The U.S. military has conducted training programs with West African navies, patrolling the Gulf of Guinea, with the British and French.

Tags
International News, FBI Investigation
Join the Discussion
More News
Elizabeth Ferguson

Texas Woman Viciously Bludgeoned in Random Lunchtime Attack Breaks Silence: 'Those Entire Two Days are Completely Gone'

Elon Musk

Election Officials Call Elon Musk a 'Huge Problem' For His Role in Spreading Misinformation Ahead of Election Day

Man Fed Up with Sister Cleaning His Room Gets Court

Man Fed Up with Sister Cleaning His Room Gets Court to Make Her Stop

Candace Craig and Salia Hardy

Maryland Woman Reveals Mom's Sick Plot to Dispose of Dismembered Grandma's Body Using Chainsaw and A Grill

Real Time Analytics