Armed men suspected to be sea pirates struck within the coastal waters of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and captured the captain and Chief Engineer of a Dutch Cargo ship.

The victims whose names were simply given as Mr. Pikus and mr. Melnikov from Russia were captured by an eight member gang of armed men recently.

The Tide gathered that the Chief Cook of the ill-fated cargo ship, a Filipino was fatally wounded by the pirates during the operation before they were abducted.

According to source, the armed men on approaching the ship, opened fire sporadically, boarded the ship and also robbed the 14-member crew of their money and belongings.

Although, report has it that no contact had been established with the pirates or the victims, but efforts were being intensified for their release.

Attempt by The Tide correspondent to get reaction from the co-ordinator of Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA), Eastern Zone, Mr. Olayemi Abass proved abortive as he was said to be out of the state for an official engagement.

It will be recalled that pirates also recently attacked a cargo ship, MV Four Seas SW, off Lagos Coast and killed the captain of the ship, a Sri Lankan and the Chief Engineer, an Indian national.

The series of attacks on laden ships have placed Nigeria on Maritime security Alert, and rated second to Somalia in the world in terms of piracy.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that from January 2012 till date, about eight piracy attacks have been recorded in the country’s coastal waters.

When also contacted on telephone, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Rivers State Command, Mr. Ben Ogwuegbulam said he is not aware of such incident.

Collins Barasimeye