Nigeria: Pirates kill four and kidnap three near Niger Delta January 2

Event

According to security officials, pirates attacked an oil tanker anchored near the Niger Delta on the night (local time) of Thursday, January 2. Assailants killed three Nigerian crew members and kidnapped one Indian and two Russian nationals. An investigation has been launched. The whereabouts of the victims remain unknown as of Tuesday, January 7.

Similar piracy incidents are possible in the near term.

Context

The waters off of Nigeria's oil-rich coast have been a hotspot for piracy incidents over the past decade. Pirates often kidnap crew for ransom and sometimes siphon off the petroleum products.

Advice

Maritime travelers in the region are advised to remain vigilant for the approach of suspicious ships while aboard vessels, monitor developments to the regional security environment, and report all incidents to the nearest authorities. Pirates and other criminals are often armed; do not resist if confronted.