Pirates Abduct 5 Seafarers off Nigeria, kill Naval Guard

A gang of pirates, armed with sophisticated weapons including machine guns on Saturday stormed an offshore support vessel and kidnapped five crew members, in the latest pirate attack off Brass, Nigeria.

The gang according to an account from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, also allegedly killed a naval security guard who attempted to disturb them.

The pirates came in two speed boats, approached the unnamed vessel while it was underway some 32 nautical miles off the coast of Brass, midday on March 9; while Nigerians were voting to elect governors and house of Assembly members for various States.

The ship’s Captain immediately notified the naval escort security boat which maneuvered to engage the attackers. One speed boat closed in from port side of the vessel and crossed the bow, while the other speed boat exchanged fire with the security boat.

Alarm was raised and the crew went to the engine room, while all power was shut down.

The pirates boarded the vessel with the aid of an elongated ladder and broke into the accommodation, vandalized the cabins and took crew belongings and vessel’s properties.

Then they proceeded to the engine room, kidnapped five men and escaped. The remaining crew members sailed the vessel under escort to a safe anchorage.

IMB Piracy Reporting Centre confirmed that one Nigerian Navy armed guard was reported killed in the exchange of fire between the naval security boat and the pirates.

Relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

When contacted for official reaction, the image maker of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Isichei Osamgbi pleaded for time, saying he would get back soon.