Sea pirates kidnap 138 in Gulf of Guinea in 2020

Abiola Seun |

In December, about 9 incidents of pirate attacks at the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) has been recorded.

This was even as Dryad maritime indicates that yesterday incident is the 27th kidnapping with a total number of 138 persons kidnapped in Gulf of Guinea HRA in 2020.

According to the maritime security outfit, a vessel has been boarded 28nm SW Brass resulting in the kidnap of 8 personnel.

Report indicates that a vessel has been boarded by an unknown number of attackers 28nm SW Brass resulting in the kidnap of 8 crew.

The vessel has been confirmed as the Cameroonian flagged M/V STEVIA (IMO8107000) in transit from Port Harcourt to Abidjan.

There have been a surge of incidents in the past 5 weeks, resulting in an increased risk rating for the Gulf of Guinea HRA to CRITICAL on 11th November.

Vessels are advised to operate within this area at a heightened posture maintaining the highest levels of vigilance whilst implementing full hardening / mitigation in accordance with BMP West Africa where possible.

In addition, the IMB advises that vessels remain at least 200nm-250nm offshore where possible.