Four persons in a speed boat armed with automatic weapons approached an anchored product tanker, at Bonny River Inner Anchorage, Nigeria.
Two persons managed to board the tanker and open fire towards the accommodation. The on board Nigerian naval guards returned the fire, leading the persons to retreat into their boat and escaping. One guard was injured during the shooting and was given first aid by the crew.
The alarm was also raised, a PA announcement was made and the crewmembers gathered in the citadel, while Bonny Signal Station and Nigerian Navy were notified.
After the incident, two security boats responded and approached the tanker. The injured guard was transferred to a security boat and taken ashore for medical assistance.
The remaining crew are reported to be safe.
This comes at a time when a recent IMB report for the first quarter of 2019, revealed less incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships than the first three months of 2018.
Specifically, during the first quarter of 2019, IMB reported 38 incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, which are 28 less incidents than the first quarter of 2018, which stood at 66.
Regarding Nigeria, it is a hotspot for piracy incidents over the last ten years, however, in the first quarter of 2019, the country saw a reduction in reported piracy incidents. It specifically reported 14 incidents of piracy for Q1 2019, in comparison to 22 incidents in Q1 2018.
These results confirm the Nigerian Navy's increased efforts to 'actively respond to reported incidents by dispatching patrol boats'. Despite the positive results, Nigerian waters are still risky for ships, especially the port of Lagos where four incidents have been reported.
