Pirates Attack Gen. Danjuma’s Fishing Trawler

•Kill Captain, maim crew members
•Trawler owners ask for Coast Guard

Daredevil sea robbers last week attacked a fishing trawler FT Star 1 which belongs to Tarabaroz, killing the ship’s Captain; Captain Pius Italume and inflicting serious injuries on many of the crew.
The attack which occurred on Benin River in Ondo state has thrown the fishing company which is owned by former defence minister, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) into a mourning mood.
Shipping Position Weekly confirmed authoritatively last week that the ill-fated fishing trawler was attacked at about 2.30am on Wednesday March 4, 2009 while on a fishing expedition..
It was confirmed that the deceased Captain was one of the oldest and most respected in the business and that the matter has already being reported to the Nigerian Fishing Trawler Owners Association (NITOA).
A copy of the letter which Tarabaroz officially informed NITOA and which was sighted by Shipping Position Weekly explained the circumstances under which the ship was attacked.
Recounting the incident as reported by one of the crew, assistant general manager, Tarabaroz, Mr Mustapha Balami in the letter explained that “at about 6.30 am, 4/3/09 an officer on board, Blessing Owoyork informed Tarabaroz that the pirates attacked at about 2.30am at high seas, that is (Benin River shipping area), about 90 nautical miles form Lagos, shot at the ship and killed a Captain, Pius Italume”. The ill-fated has reportedly sailed back to Lagos.
Top management staff of the fishing company was at an emergency meeting when our correspondent, but sources close to the embattled company disclosed that the retired General had already been briefed about the development.  Also confirming the development, deputy president of NITIA, Mrs Margret Orakwusi told Shipping Position Weekly that the attack on Gen. Danjuma’s trawler was the climax of a renewed attack on fishing trawlers in the last three weeks.
According to her, it is obvious that the Nigerian Navy van not handle piracy attacks. She consequently called for the creation of a coast guard that is fashioned after what obtains in the United States of America (USA).
There is a missing gap in our security arrangement, we need a better arrangement in the mould of a coats guard; you can call it any name so that wherever the Navy can not reach, they can reach.
She also took a swipe at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for doing nothing despite the noises and the seminars. 
According to her, the association currently has about 170 trawlers in its fleet and its members are seriously considering taking their businesses elsewhere, but for the fact that this will lead to massive job losses.