Fresh investigations have revealed that the ship that was attacked on April 15, 2019 by Nigerian pirates was a product tanker now identified as San Padre Pio, which had earlier been seized by the Nigerian Navy.
Fresh investigations have also revealed that there were only four Ukrainian crew on board as at the time of attack on Monday, because the tanker was seized on January 23 2018 by Nigerian Navy for allegedly, illegal entry and illegal fuel trade, and has been under arrest since then.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that armed pirates attacked the anchored product tanker; San Padre Pio earlier in the week.
The four that are still on board were part of the 16 all-Ukrainian crew.
It is the same ship for which Switzerland recently threatened a legal action against Nigeria in the International Court of the Law of the Sea, for alleged gross violation of that law, by keeping in detention Swiss-flagged tanker for more than a year.
On April 15, 2019, four persons armed with automatic weapons in a speed boat approached an unnamed vessel at Bonny River Inner Anchorage.
Two perpetrators managed to board the tanker and opened fire towards the accommodation.
After the alarm was raised and PA announcement made, the ship’s crew mustered in the citadel.
According to the IMB, the onboard Nigerian naval guards returned fire resulting in the persons retreating into their boat and escaping. One guard was injured during the shooting and was given first aid by the crew.
Two security boats responded and approached the tanker. The injured person was transferred to a security boat and taken ashore for medical assistance.
No injuries to the remaining crew were reported.
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