The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore
IA Shettim in a statement on Monday, disclosed that the ten (10) pirates that
attached Chinese vessel have been comprehended.
IA Shettim in a statement on Monday, disclosed that the ten (10) pirates that
attached Chinese vessel have been comprehended.
According to Shettima, the ship was
seized by pirates on the coast of Cote de Viore on 15 May. Subsequently, they
took possession of the vessel, which had 18 crew members comprising of Chinese,
Ghanaians and Ivorians, and guided it to Nigerian Waters.
seized by pirates on the coast of Cote de Viore on 15 May. Subsequently, they
took possession of the vessel, which had 18 crew members comprising of Chinese,
Ghanaians and Ivorians, and guided it to Nigerian Waters.
The Nigerian Navy was alerted of the
pirate attack and immediately, the Nigerian Navy Ship NGURU was dispatched to
intercept the vessel.
pirate attack and immediately, the Nigerian Navy Ship NGURU was dispatched to
intercept the vessel.
On interception of the vessel at about
140nm south of Lagos Fairway Buoy, the pirates refused to comply to the orders
of the Navy Ship, hence the Nigerian Navy had to conduct an opposed boarding of
the vessel. All ship crew were safely rescued, while the 10 pirates were
arrested,” the NNS Commander stated.
140nm south of Lagos Fairway Buoy, the pirates refused to comply to the orders
of the Navy Ship, hence the Nigerian Navy had to conduct an opposed boarding of
the vessel. All ship crew were safely rescued, while the 10 pirates were
arrested,” the NNS Commander stated.
He added that it is pertinent to note
that the last five known or documented pirate attacks were outside of Nigerian
waters, of which the Nigerian Navy has responded in the interest of Regional
Security.
that the last five known or documented pirate attacks were outside of Nigerian
waters, of which the Nigerian Navy has responded in the interest of Regional
Security.
This is aptly captured in the NN Total
Spectrum Maritime Strategy ‘which covers Nigeria’s outermost maritime area of
interest, encompassing the entire West African waters and the GoG, Shettima
said.
Spectrum Maritime Strategy ‘which covers Nigeria’s outermost maritime area of
interest, encompassing the entire West African waters and the GoG, Shettima
said.
According to the Navy boss, this
underscores the need for increased regional cooperation in terms of information
sharing and further deepening of our response capability.
underscores the need for increased regional cooperation in terms of information
sharing and further deepening of our response capability.
He noted that for instance, the latest
rescue effort was bolstered by additional intel received from the Beninous Navy
during the operation.
rescue effort was bolstered by additional intel received from the Beninous Navy
during the operation.
This also emphasizes the Chief of
Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas commitment to ensuring maritime security
within Nigeria’s maritime space and the Gulf of Guinea in general, Shettima
added.
Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas commitment to ensuring maritime security
within Nigeria’s maritime space and the Gulf of Guinea in general, Shettima
added.
In the meantime, he took the
opportunity to warn the criminal groups engaged in any maritime activity in the
Gulf of Guinea against him, adding that the Nigerian Navy has the resources and
the ability to deal with those perpetrators.
opportunity to warn the criminal groups engaged in any maritime activity in the
Gulf of Guinea against him, adding that the Nigerian Navy has the resources and
the ability to deal with those perpetrators.
