16 Dec 2019 | 10:43 PM UTC
Nigeria: 20 Indian nationals kidnapped from oil tanker in Gulf of Guinea December 16 /update 1
Indian authorities report 20 Indian nationals kidnapped from oil tanker in Gulf of Guinea as of December 16; similar incidents of piracy possible in the Gulf of Guinea over the near term
Event
On Monday, December 16, Indian authorities reported that 20 Indian nationals had been kidnapped from an oil tanker in waters off the coast of West Africa (i.e. Gulf of Guinea) as the tanker was shipping oil from Angola to Lomé (Togo). India's foreign ministry has reportedly taken up the issue with Nigerian authorities.
Similar incidents of piracy are possible in the Gulf of Guinea over 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.
