Nigeria: Pirates take five Polish sailors hostage from cargo ship Szafir

Pirates operating off the coast of Nigeria have taken hostage five Polish sailors, including the captain and officers, from the Cyprus-flagged cargo ship the Szafir.

The Polish Foreign Ministry has confirmed the abduction of the seaman explaining that 11 other members of the crew were able to avoid capture after they barricaded themselves inside the ship.

The Associated Press reported that the Szafir was damaged after the attackers opened fire on the vessel. There have been no reported injuries and there were no traces of blood at the scene of the hostage taking.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said authorities were still waiting to hear from the pirates. Neither the Polish or Nigerian governments have been contacted with ransom demands.

Poland's Sea Industry and Navigation Minister Marek Grobarczyk said the assault on the vessel carrying metal cranes from Belgium to Nigeria appeared to be a pirate attack. The ship is currently anchored about 30 sea miles off the Nigerian coast, according to Reuters.