05 Nov 2019 | 01:33 AM UTC
Togo: Pirates target oil tanker in Gulf of Guinea November 4
Pirates abduct four foreign crew members from an oil tanker in the Gulf of Guinea on November 4; one security guard shot during the attack
Event
An oil tanker traveling through the Gulf of Guinea was attacked by pirates approximately 18 km (11 mi) from the port of Lomé on Monday, November 4. The pirates abducted four foreign crew members and shot one guard before fleeing the area. According to Togolese military officials, the incident occurred at around 03:00 (local time). An investigation into the attack is ongoing.
Additional incidents of piracy and kidnapping are possible in the Gulf of Guinea in the near-term.
Context
There is a high risk of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. According to a report released in July by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), 92 percent of hostage-takings too place in the Gulf of Guinea between January and June 2019.
Advice
Maritime travel through the Gulf of Guinea is advised against due to the threat of piracy.
