21 August 2013, Lagos — Naval operatives attached to NNS Beecroft, Tuesday rescued another oil vessel, MT Crow and nine crew members from suspected sea pirates.
Four of the sea robbers were also arrested after a gun battle with the naval operatives around 10 nautical miles off the coast of Escravus, Delta State.
The recent attack came barely 48 hours after MT Norte was rescued from the hands of about 20 suspected sea pirates.
The MT Crow was allegedly hijacked by a four man gang of sea robbers at Aiyetoro area of Ondo State on August 14. As at the time it was hijacked, the ship was said to be carrying about 200 metric ton of diesel.
Parading the suspects at the Defence Jetty, Lagos, the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe stated that the arrest was made possible from tip off from the Regional Awareness Centre that a ship had been hijacked by unknown gun men.
“The team ran into the hijacked ship around Aiyetoro area of Ondo State. By the time it was sited, it had a speed boat tied behind the vessel.
They were over powered after a gun duel he said adding that the pirates threw their guns into the sea before surrendering.
“The robbers asked the captain of the ship to respond to the call signs made by the men of the Nigerian Navy after dumping their rifles into the sea” he added.
One of the pirates confessed that they were sent on the assignment by a man who they identified as General at Igbokoda area of Ondo state.
– Eugene Agha, Daily Trust
