Pirates kidnapped 12 crew members from a
Swiss bulk carrier in Nigerian waters which was carrying wheat between
Lagos and Port Harcourt .
Swiss bulk carrier in Nigerian waters which was carrying wheat between
Lagos and Port Harcourt .
It was attacked around 45 nautical miles south west of Bonny Island in oil rich Niger Delta .
The pirates apparently used long ladders
and cut the razor wire on deck to gain access to the vessel and
destroyed the ship’s communications equipment before leaving.
and cut the razor wire on deck to gain access to the vessel and
destroyed the ship’s communications equipment before leaving.
Massoel Shipping issued a statement
saying it was working with authorities and specialists to ensure a rapid
release of those detained.
saying it was working with authorities and specialists to ensure a rapid
release of those detained.
According to the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, seven of the kidnapped men are from
the Philippines and one from each of Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia
and Bosnia.
Administration and Safety Agency, seven of the kidnapped men are from
the Philippines and one from each of Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia
and Bosnia.
The second quarterly report from the ICC
International Maritime Bureau, released in July, states that six
separate incidents of crew kidnapping had occurred so far in 2018,
involving 25 crew members, all in the Gulf of Guinea.
International Maritime Bureau, released in July, states that six
separate incidents of crew kidnapping had occurred so far in 2018,
involving 25 crew members, all in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Bureau highlights the
area as high-risk and states that the true number of incidents in the
Gulf of Guinea may be significantly higher than reported.
area as high-risk and states that the true number of incidents in the
Gulf of Guinea may be significantly higher than reported.