Four Kidnapped Following Nigerian Pirate Attack
Four sailors have been kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria’s oil-rich southern delta, writes the Washington Post.
The International Maritime Bureau said the kidnapping happened Sunday night on an offshore tug boat near Nigeria’s Bayelsa state. The bureau said the gunmen seized four crew members before leaving.
Later reports state that Italian sailors are three of the four crew members of the tug Asso Ventuno, kidnapped yesterday off the coast of Nigeria, according to Italy's Sailors' Labour Union.
The Foreign Ministry has confirmed the seizure by armed pirates, but was unable to identify the nationality of the fourth hostage [OCEANUSLive received information that fourth crew member is Ukrainian].
Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi is following the case personally, while the Ministry and the Crisis Unit are working with the Nigerian authorities to ensure the rescue of sailors. According to reports from the International Maritime Bureau, the attack took place on December 23 about 40 nautical miles off the coast of the State of Bayelsa and the attackers fled after seizing the four men leaving the other sailors aboard the ship, operated by the company Augusta Offshore SpA, based in Naples. They were the ones to raise the alarm before going back to the nearest port.
According to Reuters, a spokesman for Nigeria's navy confirmed the incident: "Five vessels have been deployed for patrol duties off the Brass Area. The Nigerian Navy in collaboration with other agencies have intensified search and rescue efforts of the four kidnapped crew members of MV Asso Ventuno and apprehension of the pirates."
There have been a string of kidnappings in Nigerian waters and in the restive Niger Delta this month. Last week, pirates looted an oil tanker off Nigeria and abducted five crew, the ship's operator said.
Four South Koreans and two Nigerians were snatched in Bayelsa earlier this month but were later released. Nigerian criminal gangs operating in the Niger Delta usually free captives after a ransom is paid.
---