Pirates attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped two U.S. crew men, including an American captain and chief engineer, security sources confirmed, as reported by Reuters. The two men were onboard U.S.-flagged oil supply ship, the C-Retriever,in the Gulf of Guinea, according to news reports. The State Department said the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria continue to investigate the incident, although there were no additional details offered.
"We've been concerned by a disturbing increase in the incidents of maritime crime, including piracy, in this area," said Marie Harf, the State Depatment spokeswoman.
The armed pirates reportedly separated the crew by nationality before kidnapping the two Americans, as reported by ABC News. The assault occurred during the early hours. "American authorities are treating the case as a potential kidnapping-for-ransom and not a politically-motivated act," ABC News also reported.
"The initial demands will probably be ridiculously high and you can infer from that who you are dealing with. Are these people skilled? Do they have professional negotiators?... Do we know who this group is and is their end game actually money? Because if it is, I'm happy. I'm pleased and now I know it can be a negotiable end," commented Jack Cloonan, a former senior FBI who work with Clayton Consultants, specializing "in international piracy, kidnapping and extortion."
The "vast oil-rich Gulf of Guinea borders 11 West African nations is one of the most important trade routes for oil imported by the United States. Nearly 30 % of U.S. oil imports passes through the gulf, which is nearly the size of the Gulf of Mexico," The Los Angeles Times reported.
The U.S. military has conducted training programs with West African navies, patrolling the Gulf of Guinea, with the British and French.
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