Cargo Ship Crisis: Injured Crew Abducted by Pirates in Gulf of Guinea

A recent publication by MOT GOG highlights a troubling incident involving a cargo ship off the West African coast, where pirates forcefully boarded and kidnapped an injured crew member. This event unfolded between Nigeria and São tomé and Príncipe,an area that has gained notoriety for piracy,even as overall maritime crime rates have seen a decline.

The vessel, registered in Curaçao, was making its way from Douala in Cameroon to Matadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo when it was attacked by seven armed assailants. Reports indicate that this brazen act occurred on May 29, approximately 75 nautical miles northwest of Santo Antonio and about 118 nautical miles from Bonny, Nigeria.

According to maritime security sources like MDAT-GoG and UKMTO, most crew members managed to secure themselves in the citadel while keeping an eye on the situation through onboard CCTV. Sadly, one crew member—the second engineer—was injured during the chaos and taken hostage by the pirates.

Initially there was some uncertainty regarding which crew member had been abducted; however, updates later confirmed it was indeed the second engineer who went missing. The first engineer remained safe within their secure location while the chief engineer was eventually found aboard.

The attack resulted in damage to equipment on the ship’s bridge. At one point during this harrowing experience, control of the vessel slipped away from its captain as it slowed dramatically from 13 knots down to just 3 knots.Notably, after leaving Douala on May 29th with its AIS signal turned off for safety reasons—this signal only resumed transmitting late afternoon on May 30th.

By May 31st, MDAT-GoG reported that thorough searches had cleared any remaining pirates from onboard; though, concerns lingered over the fate of the abducted crew member who is believed to be held captive by his captors.

Authorities afterward boarded to assist those left behind and began escorting them toward safer waters. The shipping community has been urged to stay alert given these developments.Security firm Ambrey Analytics recommended that vessels operating within Gulf of Guinea assess potential risks before setting sail and consider hiring armed security if feasible. Africa Risk Compliance noted this incident marked a return of kidnappings as March when ten seafarers were taken during another violent pirate raid involving a product tanker named Bitu River.Despite reports indicating fewer piracy incidents overall lately, experts warn that Gulf of Guinea remains perilous territory where high-value kidnappings are still prevalent threats. Recent months have seen similar attacks characterized by lengthy onboard raids lasting several hours along with alarming threats against crews’ lives.

Maritime operators are strongly advised to navigate these waters with heightened caution while promptly reporting any suspicious activities thay encounter along their routes.