Michael James
25 September 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has commenced search rescue operations for the abducted 12 crew members onboard MV GLARUS owned by ALLISON Shipping to ensure they are found and released unconditionally. The vessel was hijacked off Bonny Island in Rivers State on September 22 while transporting bulk wheat from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said NIMASA was working closely with the Forward Operation Base, FOB, and the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy alongside other relevant security agencies.
Dr. Dakuku, who condemned the act, noted that the agency was saddened about the attack and assured that NIMASA would not leave any stone unturned in the rescue mission. He also assured that the perpetrators of the act and others of their kind would be brought to book.
“The issue of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is a challenge we acknowledge and we are determined to tackle it head-on. We will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant partners to ensure we bring it to a halt. Zero tolerance to piracy and all forms of illegalities on our nation’s waterways is our goal”, he said.