Armed pirates boarded a drifting bulk carrier around 17 nautical miles south-southwest (SSW) off Bonny Island, Nigeria on November 11 and kidnapped ten of its crew members.
The pirates reportedly entered the bridge and fired their weapons damaging the bridge windows.
Reports say that, the ‘’armed pirates boarded a drifting bulk carrier. They entered the bridge and fired their weapons damaging the bridge windows. The pirates stole ship's properties, crew personal belongings, kidnapped 10 crew and escaped in their boat’’
Two Nigerian navy vessels intercepted the pirates, rescued the crew and apprehended five pirates. The ship was escorted into the inner anchorage under naval escort and armed guards were placed onboard during the vessels stay.
The UK-flagged bulker has been identified as the 2012-built Venus Bay owned by Pioneer Marine, but the company is yet to confirm the attack to World Maritime News. As informed, the ship was on its way toward the Nigerian port of Onne when the attack occurred.
Due to a prompt reaction from two Nigerian navy vessels, the pirates were intercepted and the kidnapped crew released. Five pirates have been apprehended in the operation.
The ship was escorted into the inner anchorage and armed guards were placed onboard during the vessel’s stay.
On November 12, 2017, the ship resumed passage under naval escort to Port Harcourt and berthed, the IMB said.
According to maritime security firm Dryad Maritime, the pirate group has stalked the sea south of Bonny in recent months.
Venus Bay, fully laden, is currently moored at Port Harcourt, based on its latest AIS data.
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