Nigerian naval guards onboard an unnamed vessel
at the Bonny Inner Anchorage on April 15, resisted pirates’ attack on the
vessel.
at the Bonny Inner Anchorage on April 15, resisted pirates’ attack on the
vessel.
The International Maritime Bureau Piracy
Reporting Centre, which is mandated to monitor and report pirate activities in
the maritime domain, disclosed this.
It reported that four persons armed with
automatic weapons in a speed boat approached an unnamed vessel at Bonny River
Inner Anchorage on April 15, 2019.
automatic weapons in a speed boat approached an unnamed vessel at Bonny River
Inner Anchorage on April 15, 2019.
Two perpetrators managed to board the tanker and open fire towards
the accommodation.
the accommodation.
After the alarm was raised and PA announcement made, the ship’s
crew mustered in the citadel.
crew mustered in the citadel.
According to the IMB, the onboard Nigerian naval guards returned
fire resulting in the persons retreating into their boat and escaping. One
guard was injured during the shooting and was given first aid by the crew.
fire resulting in the persons retreating into their boat and escaping. One
guard was injured during the shooting and was given first aid by the crew.
Two security boats responded and approached the tanker. The
injured person was transferred to a security boat and taken ashore for medical
assistance.
injured person was transferred to a security boat and taken ashore for medical
assistance.
No injuries to the remaining crew were reported.
World Maritime News also reports that earlier
this month, Nigerian pirates hijacked a merchant ship robbing the vessel’s
crew.
this month, Nigerian pirates hijacked a merchant ship robbing the vessel’s
crew.
The unidentified ship was freed in the Gulf of Guinea by a Spanish
warship, having been held hostage by pirates for four days.
warship, having been held hostage by pirates for four days.
