Sea Robbers Attack Greek Ship In Onne

Following another attack on cargo ship within the nation’s territorial waters last week, a maritime security alert has again been issued for Nigeria as a result of sea robbery attack on a Greek-managed cargo.
The Ukrainian captain and Greek first engineer of the ship MV Perseas, which was sailing near Onne in Rivers state on 26 January and which was flying under the flag of St Vincent and Grenadines, were abducted by gunmen, even as two Egyptian crew  were reportedly injured in the attack.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack neither has it been officially reported at the piracy reporting centre of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
 Although militants from the notorious Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) are probable suspects, there are fears over the weekend that the abductors may hold  the crew members on  shore for a ransom.
Static vessels and vessels on lay- by have remained targets for groups actively seeking to kidnap foreigners to raise financial and political capital for their campaigns.
There are fears also that attacks on ships may also increase as tensions rise ahead of the upcoming general elections in April.