NIMASA Leads Hunt For 19 Seamen Abducted Off Nigerian Coast

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has is leading a hunt for ocean kidnappers who hijacked a tanker off the Nigerian coast and subsequently took 19 of the persons on board hostage.

The pursuit of the hijackers cum kidnappers according to the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside includes other security agencies including the navy.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing National Transportation Summit organised by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), he said that the tanker, ‘Nave Constellation’ was attacked off the coast of Bonny.

Nine crew members were left onboard the vessel after the 19 were taken away by the attackers. “The operators of the vessel made contact with NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy and we immediately went to work”, he said. 

The Nave Constellation owned by Shinyo Saowalak Limited but operated by Anglo Eastern Tanker Management, Hong Kong, Limited is registered as a double hull tanker in Hong Kong.

Dakuku, however, noted that the vessel owners had operated for ten days, within Nigeria’s territorial waters yet didn’t establish contact with the Harbour Masters.

It also didn’t establish contact with the authorities in Nigeria. “However, that isn’t an issue because life is more precious than any other consideration. We have also immediately contacted the naval unit around that area and they have gone to work. The Navy has established contact with the remaining crew members onboard the vessel and the nine persons onboard the vessel are safe and the vessel is safe”.

The DG who lamented that this is happening at a time that efforts are being put together to make Nigerian waterways safe gave the assurance that the Agency will not rest on its oars. “I think this would ultimately serve as catalyst for us to fast-track what we are doing to safeguard our waterways so that commerce can thrive again and people can do economic activities without fear or hindrance”.

While sympathizing with the victims and their families for the ordeal and challenges of being kidnapped, he urged every concerned citizen and stakeholders to come together and work with NIMASA and relevant security Agencies to end the menace.

It may be recalled that Nigeria recently hosted a Global Maritime Security Conference (GMSC) where several engagement with stakeholders from all over the world, on the global maritime scale towards enhancing collaboration among maritime nations in order to find lasting solution to the security issues on the Gulf of Guinea and on the entire West and Central Africa.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG