IMB: Pirates Take Eight Crew from Tug off Nigeria
Eight crewmembers have been kidnapped by armed pirates from an offshore tug off the coast of Brass, Nigeria, according to data released by the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.
The pirates boarded the tug while it was some 10.8 nautical miles south of the coast of Brass in the morning hours of April 19. The name of the tug in question was not disclosed.
After kidnapping the sailors, the armed persons escaped from the vessel.
IMB informed that the Nigerian Navy responded to the incident in which one crew was injured and was soon evacuated by helicopter.
World Maritime News contacted relevant authorities for more details on the matter, however, these are yet to reply.
Data from the Piracy Reporting Centre show that another incident occurred on the same day some 59 nautical miles off Brass when nine pirates in a skiff approached and fired upon a tanker underway.
The tanker raised an alarm, started the fire pumps, non-essential crew retreated to the citadel and the vessel increased speed and conducted evasive maneuvers.
IMB informed that, while the Master communicated with the escort vessel, the skiff was seen aborting and moving away.
World Maritime News Staff
