ABUJA, Nigeria

Pirates kidnapped six people from a boat off the coast of Nigeria, security sources told local media Thursday.

The pirates attacked a ship with an unknown state flag from Lagos province and took five Koreans and a Ghanaian hostage, according to a security officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Port authorities and security forces launched operations to find the hijackers and hostages, the source said.

The region known for pirate attacks is often referred to as one of the most dangerous sea areas in the world.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut