The Nigerian Navy has foiled an attempt by suspected sea pirates to hijack and abduct 25
foreign nationals aboard a Maersk merchant ship
carrying general cargo to Nigeria.
Briefing journalists on Sunday at Onne Sea Port, Rivers, Olusegun Soyemi, the Executive Officer of
the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, said the vessel berth safely with the rescued crew
members unharmed.
Mr. Soyemi said the crew members, including the ship’s
captain, were of mixed nationalities consisting of eight Philippines, eight South Africans,nfive Indians, two Britons and two from Thailand.
According to him, Safmarine Kuramo, a Maersk merchant ship registered in Singapore,
was transporting general
cargo from Port-Noire, Congo, to Onne Sea Port in Rivers.
“On Jan. 5 at about 08:00
hours; Safmarine Kuramo was attacked by sea pirates about 60
nautical miles off the coast of Bonny Island (in Rivers) Fairway Bouy.
“We got may-day distress call that the ship was boarded by
unconfirmed number of sea pirates after entering the nation’s territorial waters.
“We immediately dispatched a warship (NNS Centenary) and
attack gunboats led by Navy Capt. Chiedozie Okehie of the Eastern Naval Command to
rescue the situation.
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