Pirates strike again, abduct 10 sailors off Bayelsa

Daredevil pirates have struck once again in Nigerian waters; kidnapping 10 crew members from a ship in the Gulf of Guinea.

The incident reportedly took place approximately 52 nautical miles north west of Brass oil terminal in Bayelsa.

Among the crew members kidnapped were four Indian seafarers, reports the Times of India. Other crew members who were taken hostage by the pirates include three Lebanese, two Egyptians; as well as one Cameroonian. However, two crew members from Cameroon were left on board the vessel by the pirates.

The attacked vessel is managed by Miro Shipping, Tripoli, Lebanon. The ship, a cargo vessel named ‘Milan’ was flagged off from the island of St Kitts.

Meanwhile, the attack took place between the evening of Wednesday, November 25 and the morning of Thursday, November 26. Authorities in India say contact has been established with the Nigerian government over the incident.

Captain Sanjay Prashar, general secretary, Himachal Seafarers’ Association, said security consultancies — Ambrey and Dryad Global — had told them about the abduction of the seafarers by the pirates.

 “We have taken up the matter with the authorities concerned and the employer to ensure safe release of the hostages. Necessary consular assistance will also be rendered,” the high commission of India in Abuja told Capt Prashar.

Meanwhile, the vessel was in transit from Koko in Nigeria to Douala, Cameroon, when it came under attack. However, the exact time of the attack by the pirates remains unclear. Reports reveal that the pirates had boarded the vessel and spent some time on board before leaving with the kidnapped crew.