Gunmen in speedboats attacked an oil vessel off the coast of Cameroon early on Friday and seized at least 10 crew members including seven from France, security sources said.
Oil services company Bourbon confirmed 10 of its 15 employees on board the vessel Bourbon Sagitta were kidnapped. Two Cameroonians and a Tunisian were among the captives. No one was hurt in the attacks.
Gunmen in three speedboats attacked the ship while it was assisting an oil tanker loading crude oil at an offshore oilfield in the Gulf of Guinea, a company spokesperson said.
She said the company was working closely with the French Foreign Ministry for the quick release of the hostages. No group has yet to claim responsibility.
Heavily armed gunmen in fast launches have in the last year preyed on oil plants, oil and fishing boats and even coastal towns in a region that contains the main African supplies of crude oil going to the West and China.
The nearly 3 200km of coast are largely uncontrolled and vulnerable to attack.
Other Gulf of Guinea states that have seen similar attacks this year include Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Benin. – Reuters