Ghana's Navy Frees Hijacked Tanker
The Ghana Navy has foiled a pirate attack on a Nigerian cargo vessel, MT Mariam and captured all eight bandits.
The pirates were armed, but no one, including a nine-member crew aboard MT Mariam, was injured when the Ghana Navy crew aboard GNS BLIKA effected the arrest.
Lt Col. Eric Aggrey Quashie, Director of Public Relations (DPR) of Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), would not say when the MT Mariam was seized by pirates. The small tanker's owners, using an onboard tracking device, informed Ghanaian authorities of its position in Ghanaian waters on Saturday.
"Our forces on patrol on the high seas were therefore alerted and they quickly moved in to arrest the pirates," Quarshie added.
According to a Reuters report, pirate attacks have increased in West Africa in recent years, jacking up insurance costs for shipping companies. Experts say gangs based in the waters off Africa's top oil producer Nigeria are extending their reach across the region's Gulf of Guinea.
