DHQ WARN’S MILITANTS AGAINST SHIPS HIJACK IN NIGERIAN WATERS.
After several denials by the Defence Headquarters that a recently hijacked oil tanker, MT Leon Dias was not abducted by alleged pro-Biafra militants and in Nigerian waters, the Defence Headquarters has warned that any group of persons or interests who indulge in hijacking or piracy against any merchant vessel off the coast of Nigeria would be treated as criminals and saboteurs.
Recall that the ship was said to have been hijacked by pro-biafra militants, who issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu or they will blow it up.
Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar told Vanguard that the ship was seized about 7.5 nautical miles off the Port of Cotonou and that it was presently under custody of the Benin Republic Navy.
Nnamdi Kanu is facing prosecution by the Department of State Services for running an illegal organization, Indigenous People of Biafra, threatening to break away from Nigeria to create an independent country; through the use of inciting statements.
Vanguard was told that the new position of the military authorities followed Nigerian Navy’s foiling of an attempt by sea pirates whose identities are suspected are being investigated, to hijack and abduct 25 foreign nationals aboard a Maersk merchant ship on Nigerian waters, carrying general cargo to Nigeria.
Recall that authorities of NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt made the disclosure saying the hijack was foiled at Onne Sea Port while the crew members were rescued unharmed.
The crew members aboard the ship included the ship’s captain and nationalities made up of 8 Philippines, 8 South Africans, 5 Indians, 2 Britons and 2 others from Thailand.
The ship, Safmarine Kuramo, a Maersk merchant ship registered in Singapore, was transporting general cargo from Port-Noire, Congo, to Onne Sea Port in Rivers.
END.
