Nigeria piracy: kidnappers demand $1.2 million ransom for 6 foreigners

GlobalPost

Kidnappers active in Western Africa's Gulf of Guinea area on Wednesday refused to release six foreign sailor captives unless paid the equivalent of $1.27 million, according to the Associated Press, citing local police. 

Pirates reportedly kidnapped the six off the coast on Nigeria on Sunday, according to security sources cited by Reuters on Tuesday.

Three Ukrainians, two Indians, and one Russian were said to have been taken captive in what would be the third kidnapping incident in Nigerian waters in the last 10 days, said security reports.

The International Maritime Bureau said the attack on the Armada Tuah took place some 40 miles off the Nigerian coast in the Brass oil area, according to Reuters

Shipping operators often end up paying high ransoms to high-seas kidnappers, particularly for foreign hostages, said AP

Piracy is on the rise throughout Western Africa's Gulf of Guinea region. 

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