Very reliable sources close to the Nigerian Navy have told SecurityKing News that a Nigerian flagged vessel ‘MV CHARIS’ and its 10 crew members were released from detention in Malabo Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday 22 May 2019.
The vessel, a tugboat owned by C and I Leasing was attacked by pirates on Sunday 5 May 2019.
The source noted that during the attack, the same group of pirates attacked & boarded a larger ship, MV BLUE MARLIN.
‘The Captain of MV CHARIS immediately sent a distress call.
“In response to the call, a Spanish Navy team arrived the vicinity and boarded the BLUE MARLIN.
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“However the pirates escaped. MV CHARIS was also boarded & escorted to Malabo by Equatorial Guinea Navy.
“On arrival at Malabo, while BLUE MARLIN was taken for repairs & the crew well administered, MV CHARIS was under tight security and its crew detained at the police cell at Malabo.
“The crew had been mistaken for the pirates that attacked MV Blue Marlin and were to be charged for piracy.
“Social media appeals had been opened online for the release of the crew members.
“The release was facilitated by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Ambassador Toko Ali Gongulong, assisted by the Defence Attache, Navy Captain Seyi Oladipo, the Consular Officer along with NIMASA officials.”
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