YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Attackers hijacked a Nigerian boat carrying goods off the coast of Cameroon and are demanding a $1.5 million ransom for the release of its captain and one member of crew, local officials said on Monday.

The attack on Sunday was the latest in the Bakassi peninsula, coming two weeks after a previously unknown group calling themselves the African Marine Commando hijacked a Chinese fishing vessel there with seven crew on board.

Local military and administrative officials said they believed the same group was responsible for the latest attack and a subsequent raid on a local gendarmerie early on Monday in which they made off with firearms and ammunition.

The Chinese fishermen, a common sight in West African waters, were held for a few days and released unharmed after Chinese and Cameroonian officials negotiated with their kidnappers.