Pirates Launch Deadly Attack Off Nigeria Coast.
Pirates Launch Deadly Attack Off Nigeria Coast
Monday, 13 February 2012 07:42
Pirates Launch Deadly Attack Off Nigeria Coast. Ship's captain, engineer killed Pirates have carried out a deadly hijacking off Nigeria's coast, prompting a maritime watchdog to warn vessels about traveling through the region.
The head of the International Maritime Bureau, Noel Choong, said the latest attack took place on Monday when the attackers seized a cargo ship, killing the ship's captain and chief engineer.
Choong told VOA the rest of the ship's crew locked themselves in a safety compartment and that a French warship and Nigerian authorities were summoned to help them.
The bureau says this was the third attack in four days in the area, about 90 miles south of Lagos in the Gulf of Guinea.
On Thursday, pirates hijacked a tanker but Nigerian officials intercepted the vessel and rescued its crew. Pirates also attempted to seize a cargo ship on Saturday.
Choong said at least one group of pirates appears to be preying on ships in the area, and he warned vessels in the region to “maintain a strict anti-piracy watch.”
West African pirates are not as active as their counterparts in Somalia, but a rising number of attacks prompted the IMB to post warnings about traveling through the Gulf of Guinea.
Choong said while pirate attacks around the world increased last year, the number of successful hijackings declined. He credited increased security on ships and more patrols in the waters where pirates are active.
VOA
Posted by Mr Wasiu Sodeinde.
Monday, 13 February 2012 07:42
Pirates Launch Deadly Attack Off Nigeria Coast. Ship's captain, engineer killed Pirates have carried out a deadly hijacking off Nigeria's coast, prompting a maritime watchdog to warn vessels about traveling through the region.
The head of the International Maritime Bureau, Noel Choong, said the latest attack took place on Monday when the attackers seized a cargo ship, killing the ship's captain and chief engineer.
Choong told VOA the rest of the ship's crew locked themselves in a safety compartment and that a French warship and Nigerian authorities were summoned to help them.
The bureau says this was the third attack in four days in the area, about 90 miles south of Lagos in the Gulf of Guinea.
On Thursday, pirates hijacked a tanker but Nigerian officials intercepted the vessel and rescued its crew. Pirates also attempted to seize a cargo ship on Saturday.
Choong said at least one group of pirates appears to be preying on ships in the area, and he warned vessels in the region to “maintain a strict anti-piracy watch.”
West African pirates are not as active as their counterparts in Somalia, but a rising number of attacks prompted the IMB to post warnings about traveling through the Gulf of Guinea.
Choong said while pirate attacks around the world increased last year, the number of successful hijackings declined. He credited increased security on ships and more patrols in the waters where pirates are active.
VOA
Posted by Mr Wasiu Sodeinde.
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