zoomIllustration; Image Courtesy: Eunavfor

Armed robbers attacked two tankers off the coast of Nigeria on January 7, according to data provided by IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.

Both attacks occurred only hours apart shortly after midnight near Lagos.

The first incident saw 4-5 robbers in a small skiff approach an unnamed anchored product tanker. The robbers threw two ropes attached with hooks onto the tanker’s railing.

Duty crew on routine rounds heard voices near the bow and noticed the hooks and the skiff. Alarm was raised and non-essential crew members mustered in the citadel.

The Master requested assistance from the Nigerian Navy patrol boat which immediately responded. Hearing the alarm, the robbers moved away. The patrol boat searched the waters around the tanker.

During the second incident, two robbers with plastic hoses boarded an anchored tanker during STS operations. They connected the hoses to the ullage ports of the forward cargo tanks and attempted to steal cargo.

Duty crew noticed the robbers and raised the alarm resulting in the robbers escaping. The incident was immediately reported to the Nigerian Navy patrol boat which came to the location and carried out a check on the surrounding waters. Nothing was reported stolen.