BREAKING NEWS

Pirates kidnap two US sailors off Nigerian coast

Armed pirates have attackedan oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped thecaptain and chief engineer, both United States citizens,security sources said on Thursday.

The US-flagged, Edison Chouest-owned C-Retriever wasattacked in the early hours of Wednesday, UK-based security firmAKE and two security sources said. The company was notimmediately available for comment.

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea region, which includes Africa'sNo. 1 oil producer Nigeria and is a significant source of cocoaand metals for world markets, is increasing costs for shippingfirms operating there.