Pirates attack oil tanker, six crew kidnapped

By ZION Olalekan |

Fresh indications have emerged that dare devil pirates have attacked a product tanker MT APECUS while six crews were reportedly kidnapped.

The ship was attacked by six persons at Bonny Outer Anchorage, Nigeria at 1330 UTC Apr 19, and six crew were kidnapped.

According to IMB report, the tanker was moved to Bonny inner anchorage. According to AIS records, the tanker during recent months traded between Tema Ghana, Lome Togo, and Lagos, she arrived at Bonny anchorage from Lagos on Apr 20 or earlier.

“AIS records history is sketchy – tanker was trading in dangerous waters, probably having to switch off AIS for security reasons. Nationalities of crew unknown” a report stated.
The remaining crew was reported safe, the IMB added.

The Nigerian Navy was notified and an investigation into the incident has been launched.

Built in Germany in 1973, Apecus is owned by the US-based Petronav Carriers, according to data provided by VesselsValue.