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The Nigerian Navy (NN) says it has intercepted and rescued Motor Tanker (MT) MONJASA REFORMER with 10 crew off the Island of Principe at about 04:00 am on March 31.
The Director of Info, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this recognized in a press release on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ayo-Vaughan stated MT MONJASA REFORMER with IMO quantity 9255878 was attacked and boarded by pirates on March 25 at about 22:39 UTC in place 05:29.35 South – 009:34.00 East, round 144 nautical miles (nm) West-South-West of Pointe-Noire, Democratic Republic of Congo.
He stated the vessel was about 95 nautical mile (nm) off the Etame Terminal on the time of the assault, including that the pirates, utilizing a skiff closed up, forcefully boarded the vessel and held 16 crew hostage.
In response to him, upon receipt of the incident, which was conveyed to the Nigerian Navy by the West Africa Regional Maritime Safety Centre (CRESMAO) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the Nigerian Navy swung into motion.
“The Nigerian Navy surveillance infrastructure was used to look, find and monitor the vessel regardless of the truth that the pirates disabled the Automated Identification System and communication set onboard.
“It’s crucial to state that the hijacked vessel is registered in Liberia however owned by Danish Monjasa Chartering III DMCC.
“The vessel arrived the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) on Feb. 14, following its departure from Amsterdam and had visited Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo and Gabon for petroleum merchandise associated commerce earlier than her hijack.
“It was noticed that the pirates navigated the vessel northwards of the GoG, passing Gabon and Cameroon on March 28 and March 29 earlier than heading to, and arriving, Sao Tome and Principe, off the Joint Improvement Zone on March 30,” he stated.
The Navy spokesman stated that NN collaborated with the French Navy Ship, PREMIER-MAÎTRE L’HER, which was on patrol throughout the Gulf of Guinea (beneath the Coordinated Maritime Presence association) and had sighted the hijacked vessel.
He added that the NN vectored her ship, NNS GONGOLA to intercept the vessel because it approached Nigeria maritime surroundings and rescue the crew members held hostage.
In response to him, NNS GONGOLA intercepted the hijacked Tanker and adrift 76nm off the Island of Principe.
“Nonetheless, it was found that the pirates had disembarked with six crew members to an unknown vacation spot whereas underway within the Sao Tome and Principe Unique Financial Zone (EEZ).
“Contemplating the necessity to safe the vessel and guarantee her secure arrival to her vacation spot, the Nigerian Navy deployed NNS KANO in firm of the French Offshore Patrol Vessel to escort the vessel to Lome, Togo.
“MT MONJASA REFORMER arrived Lome, Togo, at about 1800 WAT on April 1.
“Efforts are being made by the Nigerian Navy, her strategic companions and different related businesses to trace the pirates with the intention to make sure the secure launch of the abductees,” he added.
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