[UPDATED] Pirates Kidnap Five Pakistani Crew off Nigeria
On the day that the release of four kidnapped crew of the German container ship, Hansa Marburg, is announced, Nigerian pirates attack and board an oil products tanker off the southern coast of Nigeria, resulting in the kidnap of several crewmembers.
Nigeria-flagged tanker, Matrix I, enroute from Cotonou, Benin to Idoho field off Nigeria's South Akwa Ibom state, came under attack by an unknown number of pirates at approximately 0220 Local Time about 42 nautical miles WSW of Cap Formoso, Nigeria (click map).
The pirates were able to board the Matrix I, which has 17 crewmembers, 12 Pakistani and 5 Nigerian, and reportedly is only capable of a speed of 6 knots. It is not yet known for certain whether any security personnel were embarked at the time of the attack, however, in view of the acknowledged threat of piracy in the area - MT Bosun, MV City of Xiamen, MV City of Guangzhou and Offshore crew boat Utai 8 were attacked in the same area at the end of April this year - Nigerian authorities have recently changed the regulations on private security in the region.
On leaving the vessel after an undeterminte time, the pirates kidnapped five of the Pakistani crew. Their destination is not known.
An unnamed spokesman for ship operator Val Oil Trading confirmed there had been an "incident" but without giving further details.
In an oil-producing region where attacks on ships has continued despite the Nigerian Navy's increasing assets and presence in the Gulf of Guinea, the instance of kidnapping has steadily increased as a short-term tactic and quick income generator for the pirate gangs. Along with the growth of kidnaps on land, seafarers are now regularly targeted and are usually held for a matter of weeks usually after a ransom has been paid.
Unlike piracy off Somalia over the last 3 or 4 years which flourish due to a lack of a sovereign government, the nations around the Gulf of Guinea are fully functioning states which precludes the presence of international navies and private maritime security operating in the region.
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