The Nigerian Navy says it has arrested 10 pirates who had hijacked a Chinese vessel, MV HAILUFANG II, off the coast of Cote d’Ivoire.
The service said 18 crew members on board the vessel were also rescued.
Commander of Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, said that the arrest and rescue happened on May 15.
He said that the rescued crew members, comprising Chinese, Ghanaians and Ivoriens, were attacked by pirates off the coast of Cote d’Ivoire.
“The pirates took control of the vessel and directed the vessel toward Nigerian waters”, he said.
Shettima said that when the Nigerian Navy was alerted of the attack, it immediately dispatched the NNS NGURU to intercept the vessel.
“On interception of the vessel at about 140nm south of Lagos Fairway Buoy, the pirates refused to comply with the orders of the Navy Ship.
“Hence, the NN had to conduct an opposed boarding of the vessel.
“All ship’s crew were safely rescued, while the 10 pirates were arrested,” he said.
Commodore Shettima also said that the last five known or documented pirates’ attacks were outside Nigerian waters, which the NN 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.
“This underscores the need for increased regional cooperation in terms of information sharing and further deepening of response capability.
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“For instance, this rescue effort was bolstered by additional intel received from the Beninous Navy during the operation,” he said.
“The NN also warned criminals within the GoG to desist from their acts. The NN has the capability and will power to deal with such perpetrators,” he said.
Shettima said the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ekwe Ibas, was committed to ensuring maritime security within Nigeria’s maritime space and the Gulf of Guinea.
