The Captain and chief engineer of a cargo vessel were killed today by pirates operating off the coast of Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos, International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said.

“Armed pirates chased and fired upon a drifting bulk carrier. Vessel raised alarm and headed towards Lagos. All crew except the bridge team took shelter in the citadel. But due to the continuous firing the Captain and the C/E were shot,” IMB said on its website.

Cyrus Mody, a manager at the IMB, said the vessel’s captain and chief engineer “were killed in the shooting.”

The maritime watchdog said it alerted Nigerian authorities immediately after the attack. Three attacks took place in the area since Thursday, it added.

The incident took place 90 nautical miles off Lagos and IMB warned sailors to keep off the zone.

Hijacking and attacks on ships by pirates are common in Nigeria waters.

Last July, an oil vessel was hijacked off Nigerian waters with its crew which included Indians and Filipinos but later it was set free by pirates.

A similar incident in mid-July saw a Greek oil tanker being hijacked with its 20 crew members by armed men.

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