Two pirates were also killed during a firefight with armed security guards on board the 7,600-dwt SP Brussels (built 2007) last night.

The pirates hit the vessel at 23:00 local time as the ship sailed from Port Harcourt to Lagos.

The crew retreated to the citadel but two were unable to reach the safe room.

During a search of the vessel this morning the security team found the body of one seafarer.