Pirates kidnap 12 people from a Swiss merchant vessel MV Glarus off the coast of Nigeria

Pirates have kidnapped 12 people from a Swiss merchant vessel off the coast of Nigeria.
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The MV Glarus was carrying wheat between Lagos and the southern Niger Delta oil hub of Port Harcourt.

It was boarded by pirates when it was around 45 nautical miles south west of Bonny Island.

The pirates took 12 of the ship's 19 crew members captive.

Massoel Shipping, which operates the MV Glarus, said in a statement: "The company is working with the authorities and specialists to secure the speedy and safe release of those being held."

Seven of those kidnapped are from the Philippines, according to the Nigerian Maritime Agency.

There is also one person each from Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia and Bosnia.

Kidnapping for ransom is a big problem in Nigeria, with the Niger Delta region a particular target as it is the source of most of the country's crude oil.

In August, security firm EOS Risk Group said there had been 34 Nigerian pirate attacks on merchant and fishing vessels in the Gulf of Guinea between January and June this year.

The firm warned that instability in the Niger Delta would increase in the run up to Nigeria's general election in February next year, possibility resulting in more piracy.

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