Pirates kidnap crew from ship in Nigeria

A gang of pirates took hostage 12 crew members from a Swiss cargo ship they attacked in Nigerian waters, the vessel’s operator has said.

Massoel Shipping said its bulk carrier came under attack early Saturday morning as it transported wheat from Lagos to the southern oil hub of Port Harcourt.

For safety reasons, the identities of the hostages have not been released, according to a spokesman.

More than 60 crew were reported kidnapped last year in waters off Nigeria, Africa’s leading crude producer.