Five crewmen were abducted after a Ghana-flagged fishing vessel became subject of a piracy attack on Monday, in waters of Volta region, Ghana, Gulf of Guinea.
The fishing vessel ‘Marine 711’ was en route to anchovies fishing grounds, with 40 crewmen onboard, when it was hijacked on 26 March. The attackers released the vessel on 28 March, but took with them at least 5 hostages, including the captain, chief officer and chief engineer of Korean nationality, and two more men of Ghanaian and Greek nationalities.
After the hijackers had left, the vessel sent a signal and the Ghana navy was deployed to the area to save the crew members. One of the crew men who was found onboard, is receiving medical treatment as a result of the traumatic experience, local media reported.
After taking the vessel over, the navy retrieved ropes, jelly cans and bullets.
Nigerian waters are key area of concern for international shipping in the last years due to the increased piracy activity, with abductions being the main characteristic of attacks in the region in 2017.