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The Russian Embassy in Nigeria says pirates have kidnapped the Russian captain and two crewmen off a ship in West Africa's Gulf of Guinea. Spokesman Artyom Romanov says the pirates hijacked the Greek-flagged SARONIC BREEZE off the coast of Benin on Tuesday and sailed the vessel to Nigeria before abandoning it in waters near Nigeria's southeastern oil capital of Port Harcourt. He says the pirates have taken three Russian hostages — the captain, second engineer and a cook. Romanov says Russian diplomats are working to secure their release. Ship hijackings and kidnappings of crew are common in the region with hostages often released unharmed after a ransom is paid. Bandits usually target oil tankers and sell the crude but the SARONIC BREEZE is listed as a refrigerated reefer. Source: businessinsider

The "Saronic Breeze" has been hijacked by pirates in the night of Nov 27, 2016, about 72 nautical miles off the coast of Cotonou in pos. 05 04N 002 37E in the Gulf of Guinea. After the southbound ship, which had left Cotonu on Nov 24, came under pirate attack, they have taken control of the ship. The owner of the vessel received SSAS and tried to establish contact, but without result. The ship's AIS and other means of communication have been turned off. The ship changed direction and headed back toward the port where it drifted around since the evening hours of Nov 28. The ship's agent and port control have been informed. The pirates left the vessel on Nov 29, taking with them three hostages. The 20 crew members included 18 Russians and two Ukrainians.