Nigerian navy searching for U.S. citizens taken by pirates

ABUJA, Nigeria, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A Nigerian navy spokesman said the country's forces are dedicated to rescuing two U.S. citizens kidnapped from an oilfield supply ship.

Kabir Aliyu, spokesman for the navy, said Friday the search is ongoing for the captain and chief engineer of the the 221-foot oilfield supply ship C-Retriever, who were kidnapped from the boat Wednesday in an area of the Gulf of Guinea known for problems with piracy, CNN reported Friday.

Aliyu said the navy is searching for the crew members and authorities intend to "bring the criminals to justice."

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Thursday the Obama administration was "seeking additional information about the incident so that we may contribute to safely resolving the situation."

"Obviously our concern at this point is for the safe return of the two U.S. citizens," she said.