An unknown number of pirates boarded the reefer Water Phoenix, while 31 nm south west of Lagos, Nigeria, resulting in the kidnap of two crew. This is the third incident in the waters south of Lagos within 2020.
At the time of the incident, the vessel had a crew of 18 onboard, including 7 Russians and 11 Filipino.
The two kidnapped crew members are probably Russian nationals. One of those is possibly the vessel master.
AIS tracking indicates that the vessel was on route to Lagos at 14kts and undertook evasive manoeuvres before coming to a stop and is currently drifting.
It is unclear whether the perpetrators are still onboard or in the the area and it is advised that all vessels in the area maintain heightened awareness,
…maritime security firm Dryad Global advised.
This is the 13th incident in waters of the Lagos Port Complex and Anchorage in the past 12 months and the third incident in the waters south of Lagos within 2020. It is also the 42nd incident in Nigerian TTW in the past 12 months.
A total of 95 personnel kidnappings occurred in 18 incidents off the coast of west Africa within 2020.
This represents a slight increase in incidents and volume of personnel kidnapped when compared with the same period in 2019.