Pirates attack Russian tanker off Nigeria's coat, one injured

The NS Spirit tanker owned by Novoship, part of Russia's largest shipping company Sovcomflot, was attacked by pirates off the coast of Nigeria on Monday, injuring one Russian crew member, the company said.

"The captain of the tanker said around 10 armed men boarded the vessel...and opened fire from automatic weapons. The crew took refuge and the pirates left the vessel shortly after the attack," Novoship said, adding that there were no further raid attempts, RIA Novosti reports.

The pirates attacked the NS Spirit, owned by the Russian Novoship company, at 1:49 am Moscow time (2149 GMT Sunday), as it was on approach to the port of Lagos, some 30 nautical miles from the shore.

Novoship did not say what had prompted the pirates to leave the ship but added that no further attacks were recorded.

One member of the crew was wounded. "The ship and its cargo were not damaged," it added. The Liberian-flagged tanker has a crew of 22 Russian sailors, according to MSN Philippines News.