Seven Chinese nationals working for a private fishing company were kidnapped off the Bakassi peninsula in southwest Cameroon, Chinese Embassy in Cameroon confirmed on Saturday.

A group calling itself the "Africa Marine Commando" has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, which occurred on Friday morning, the embassy said.

The Chinese Embassy said it is trying its best to rescue the captives.

Attacks by gunmen were reported in recent years off the Bakassi peninsula. A group of gunmen attacked an oil vessel working in an offshore oilfield for the French petroleum Total in October 2008. Ten of the 15 crew members on board the vessel "Bourbon Sagitta" was kidnapped near Bakassi Peninsula.