Two crew members of a fishing boat were kidnapped by armed men in waters off Pulau Gaya, Semporna, about 12.30am today.

Acting Sabah Police Commissioner Omar Mammah said the crew, both men and in their 30s, were with two other persons conducting fishing activities when two armed men entered the boat.

“The other two persons in the boat managed to hide and when they came out from their hiding a few minutes later, found their colleagues missing,” he told reporters here today.

Omar said police have yet to ascertain the identities of the victims and also the group responsible for abducting them.

“(However) we do not rule out the possibility that the kidnappers belong to a group that kidnaps for ransom, and so far, we have yet to receive calls from any quarters claiming responsibility for the kidnapping,’ he added.

Omar said the police received information on the kidnapping about 2am today.

- Bernama