Gunmen abduct 3 Filipinos, Ukrainian in Nigerian waters

LAGOS, Nigeria – A private security official says gunmen have kidnapped three Filipinos and a Ukrainian from an oil-services ship in Nigerian waters.

The official says about 30 gunmen in two speedboats attacked the vessel early Saturday near Nigeria's border with Cameroon and took away the four sailors. No injuries were reported. Authorities weren't immediately available for comment.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity owing to company prohibitions on dealings with the media.

More than 200 foreigners have been seized in three years of rising violence across the southern oil region of Africa's biggest petroleum producer.

The hostages are normally released unharmed after a ransom is paid. - AP

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