29 December 2012, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa — Security operatives in Nigeria’s Bayelsa State have arrested one person in connection with Sunday night’s pirates’ attack on an Italian vessel off the Atlantic fringe of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
Four sailors, among them three Italians, were abducted during the attack, the latest in the series of attacks on foreign vessels by suspected pirates in the nation’s territorial waters.
The suspect, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was allegedly nabbed Wednesday night, during a raid reportedly launched by security operatives in the blighted waterways in the wake of Sunday’s attack on the Italian vessel, MV Asso Ventuno, on Pennington River.
The Nigerian Navy spokesman, it will be recalled, had on Monday, said five vessels had been deployed to patrol the area.
Confirming the development, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Odunna, said the arrest was made by security operatives during a raid in the creek.
He declined comment on the identity of the arrested person.