Pirates kidnap crew from Swiss cargo ship in Nigerian waters

Holding hostages for ransom is an increasing problem in the Gulf of Guinea

Pirates have kidnapped 12 crew members from a Swiss cargo ship carrying wheat off the coast of Nigeria.

The gang boarded the MV Glarus vessel using ladders and cut through protective razor wire on deck, according to reports.

After destroying much of the ship's communications equipment, the pirates left with 12 of the 19 crew.

Kidnapping for ransom is a common problem in parts of Nigeria and foreigners are frequently targeted.

Massoel Shipping, operator of MV Glarus, said the families of the hostages have been informed of the situation.

"The company is working with the authorities and specialists to secure the speedy and safe release of those being held," the firm said in a statement.

Seven of the hostages are from the Philippines and the other five are from Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia and Bosnia, according to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

"They are still missing," said Sunday Umoren, the agency's head of maritime safety.

Massoel said their ship was attacked around 45 nautical miles southwest of Bonny Island as it travelled between Lagos and Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta.

The area of the Gulf of Guinea remains a "dangerous hotbed of pirate activity", with more successful kidnappings last year than in 2016, according to a report by Oceans Beyond Piracy.

Last year four British nationals were abducted in Delta state while working as missionaries.

One, Ian Squire, was killed but the three others returned safely home after authorities negotiated their release.

Pirate attacks were once common off the coast of Somalia but declined due to the increased presence of international warships and shipping firms hiring private security.

Additional reporting by Associated Press and Reuters