'Pirates' kill 4 Nigerian navy personnel, kidnap 3 foreigners

Suspected pirates killed four Nigerian navy operatives and abducted three foreign sailors, including one Indian, in an attack on a dredging ship last week, security sources said Monday.

Armed assailants raided the oil dredger MV Ambika as it worked in the volatile waterways of the Niger Delta late on Thursday, an intelligence officer told AFP.

"During the incident, a team of naval rescue squad was sent for rescue, however, the hoodlums succeeded in killing four of the naval personnel of the squad during a gun battle," the source said.

"Before the arrival of the naval rescue team, the hoodlums had gained access into the vessel and abducted two Russians and one Indian who were part of the eight crew members on board the vessel."