Vincent Toritseju
27 August 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — THE International Maritime Bureau has said that armed sea robbers boarded a tanker and stole some oil from the ship while it was anchored at the Lagos General Purpose Anchorage.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of August 19, according to a report by the International Maritime Bureau, IMB.
IMB said alert duty watch keepers onboard the bridge of the product tanker spotted a floating object near the starboard bow and notified the armed security guard who fired warning shots.
One robber was seen jumping overboard from the forecastle.
IMB added that the alarm was raised and a public announcement made.
All crew except watch keepers retreated to the citadel.
After the security guards checked the deck areas, the crew emerged from the citadel and carried out a thorough search of the vessel.
They noticed a flexible hosepipe inserted into a Butterworth pocket of No. 1S COT.
One robber, who was noticed hiding in the hawse pipe, was apprehended and tied up by security guards and later handed over to officials of the Nigerian navy.
