Nigeria:Pirates kidnap captain and crew members of a German owned ship in Port Harcourt

Six crew members, including the Captain of a German-owned container ship, have been kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, maritime security operatives said.

The Sea Guardian consultancy said the Demeter “was attacked by pirates” at about 7:00 am on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

“Pirates boarded the ship, kidnapped six crew, including (the) master, chief officer, second officer, second engineer, bosun and cook,”

Reports suggested the attack was carried out by eight pirates in a black speedboat.

The Demeter had been travelling from the capital of Equatorial Guinea, Malabo, to Monrovia, Liberia at the time.

The MTI Network, a crisis communications firm that deals with incidents in the shipping industry, said the attack happened as the ship entered the port of Onne.

“All of the 12 remaining seafarers of the Demeter are safe and unhurt and the vessel has proceeded to safe waters,” it said in a statement.

Peter Doehle Group, owners of the Liberia-flagged vessel, said it would not disclose the nationalities of the crew members taken “for security reasons”.