Reporting indicates that the fishing vessel Iris S was attacked 108nm South Cotonou, on May 31, resulting in the kidnap of 5 crew.
According to Dryad Global, the vessel was reportedly attacked by armed men on two speedboats.
Pirates are understood to have stolen crew properties and kidnapped 5 crew members understood to be comprised of the:
- Captain;
- Chief Officer;
- Second Officer;
- Chief Engineer;
- Engineer.
This latest incident follows a recent threat warning issued by MDAT-GoG indicating a heightened risk from piracy within the following areas:
- 05°00’N – 002°30’E;
- 05°00’N – 005°00’E;
- 02°30’N – 005°00’E;
- 02°30’N – 002°30’E.
During 2021 there have been 61 personnel kidnapped across 6 incidents from vessels operating within the Gulf of Guinea.
Trends across the past 18 months have indicated a broadening of the piratical footprint within the Gulf of Guiana, beyond the traditional heartland of the Nigerian EEZ. Incidents of kidnapping throughout the Gulf of Guinea are currently tracking below 2020 volumes with 6 incidents recorded in 2021 against 11 over the same time frame in 2020. Despite this volumes of personnel kidnapped are showing a slight increase with 61 personnel kidnapped in 2021 against 57 across the same time frame in 2020
Dryad explains.
