Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Nigerian Navy Wednesday disclosed that it has rescued three foreign crew members kidnapped in the Niger Delta region last week.
The suspected pirates operating off Nigeria’s coast had killed four military guards and abducted three crew members; off a Nigerian-flagged dredger. The dredger, identified as Ambika, was boarded by the pirates after a firefight resulting in multiple loss of life.
Four military armed guards were killed and two were injured in a gun-fight.
Thereafter, the pirates abducted three foreign crew members. They include two Russians and one Indian. Five other crew members were left behind.
However, the Nigerian Navy team confirmed it had rescued the two Russians and one Indian late on Tuesday; in an operation in Ondo state.
This was disclosed by the Nigerian Navy spokesperson, Suleiman Dahun on Wednesday.
Further, Dahun confirmed that the three foreigners were abducted on Thursday last week; in a pirate attack on an oil dredging ship.
Additionally, he affirmed 1st News’ initial report that; the attack resulted in the killing of four operatives of the Nigerian Navy and kidnapping of the three foreign sailors. The armed suspected pirates attacked the oil dredging ship MV Ambika in the waterways of the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, there has been an increased spate of attacks by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea and oil-rich Niger Delta. The area remains the world’s most dangerous region for piracy and especially for kidnapping. A total of 57 seafarers were kidnapped in the region in December 2019 alone.
There was also an abduction in early December of 19 sailors after pirates boarded the Nave Constellation; a Hong Kong-flagged crude supertanker loaded with oil.
The incident occurred on December 3 in Bonny Island.
Also, suspected pirates had kidnapped nearly 20 Indian crew members in an attack off Nigeria’s coast on December 15th. The incident occurred after a vessel identified as the Marshall Islands-flagged DUKE was attacked.
Consequently, India, has banned all Indian seafarers from working on vessels in Nigerian waters and in the Gulf of Guinea.
Meanwhile, security sources have also disclosed that; the Nigerian Navy has killed several pirates and is searching to apprehend others in separate operations.