West African pirates shifting focus on kidnap for ransom: Report
Posted On: May. 4, 2016 12:00 AM CSTA report by U.S.-based Oceans Beyond Piracy has found that West African pirates have shifted their tactics from hijacking cargo to kidnapping for ransom, reported Voice of America.
The report said that there were 54 pirate attacks reported in the Gulf of Guinea, causing over $700 million in economic damage.
The International Maritime Bureau recently said that 44 sailors were kidnapped in the region in the first three months of 2016.