Nigeria Probing Abduction of Polish Crew
By Dulue Mbachu
(Bloomberg) — Nigeria is investigating the kidnapping of 5 Polish crew members after their vessel was attacked by gunmen within the nation’s territorial waters, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency stated.
The Cyprus-flagged vessel MV Szafir was attacked on Friday whereas “approximately seven nautical miles” from the coastal city of Brass, the company referred to as NIMASA stated in an e-mailed assertion late on Saturday. The gunmen took away the captain and 4 different crew members, all of Polish nationality, in response to the assertion.
The ship, owned by Voltaire Shipping Co. and run by EuroAfrica Services Nigeria Ltd., was crusing from the Antwerp port in Belgium to Nigeria’s Onne port when it was attacked, NIMASA stated. The Nigerian navy and different safety companies are at present trying to find the kidnapped crew, the company stated.
The waters off the coast of West Africa have been recognized by the International Maritime Bureau as one of many main piracy sizzling spots world wide, recording 41 incidents in 2014, with 18 in Nigerian waters and primarily concentrating on vessels working within the oil trade.
©2015 Bloomberg News
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