Nigeria: Pirates release kidnapped crewmembers November 12 /update 1

Event

Nigerian pirates have released the six crewmembers of a German-owned container ship who were taken hostage on October 21, according to a company statement released Sunday, November 12. The crewmembers were reportedly released in good health. As of Monday, November 13, information regarding the specific time and circumstances of the crewmembers' release has not yet been made public, and the Nigerian government has yet to comment on their release.

Context

The German container ship was attacked by pirates 55 km (34 mi) south of Bonny Fairway Buoy, off the Niger Delta in the Gulf of Guinea, on Saturday, October 21, at approximately 06:00 (local time). Eight pirates boarded the ship and took six crewmembers hostage, before leaving the ship and the 12 remaining crewmembers onboard.

There is a high risk of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea near Nigeria. According to the International Maritime Bureau, the number of pirate attacks off the coast of Nigeria increased from 14 in 2015 to 36 in 2016. Through September 2017, 39 of the 49 crewmembers kidnapped around the world in 2017 were kidnapped in Nigerian waters.

To curb the upward trend in kidnappings, the Nigerian Navy has launched several operations targeting pirates. Although arrests have been made and attempted hijacks averted, the risk of piracy has not been fully mitigated. Hostages captured by Nigerian pirates tend to be released following the payment of a ransom.

Advice

Maritime travel through areas off the Nigerian coast is advised against due to the threat of piracy.