Nigerian Navy’s Western Naval Command personnel repelled a pirate attack over the weekend.
Ten suspected pirates travelling in two boats attempted to hijack a foreign product tanker MT Imas. As reported by This Day Live, the pirates, who have already boarded and took over the vessel, resisted arrest. The naval patrol boat was in the vicinity and managed to respond quickly, arresting one suspect and rescuing the tanker.
The WNC Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, said that the pirates had the intention to board the vessel and either kidnap the foreigners on board or steal the products, or take the ship as hostage and sell the product somewhere.
The tanker was sailing into Nigeria at the time of the incident.
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Naval Today Staff, Image: Emirat Maritime Dubai