2 foreigners reportedly kidnapped off Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria - Pirates attacked an oil-services vessel before dawn Thursday off the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped two foreign workers, a private security official said.

The attack took place about 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the shores of Nigeria's restive southern oil region, the official said on condition of anonymity due to company prohibitions on dealings with the media.

He gave no further details, and Nigerian military and police officials were not immediately available for comment.

Nigeria's delta region and the nearby Gulf of Guinea are among the world's most pirate-infested, normally ranking in numbers of recorded attacks only after the waters near Somalia and Indonesia.

But piracy is closely intertwined with militancy in the oil-rich region, with gunmen who rob ships and take hostages also claiming political motivations. They have said they hope the chaos will force the Nigerian government to send more oil-industry funds to the region where crude is pumped.

More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in the lawless Niger Delta region in the past three years of rising violence.

Hostages are normally released unharmed after a ransom is paid. They are rarely harmed, although at least two have died during botched snatches or rescue raids.

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