Crude Oil Theft: JTF Takes Over Six Suspects, Seven Boats From Navy

Sylvester Idowu

The Joint Task Force (JTF) codenamed Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has taken over six suspected oil thieves and seven loaded Cotonou boats from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta), Warri, for further investigation.

During the handing over ceremony at the NNS Delta’s base in Warri, its Commander, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu disclosed that the suspects were arrested with products believed to be illegally refined diesel, also known as AGO, estimated to be 540,000 liters.

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Source: thisdaylive.com

Houthis attack pro-gov’t military base in Yemen’s Hodeidah

ADEN, Yemen, March 13 (Xinhua) — Fighters of the Houthi group launched a missile attack against a pro-government military base in Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday evening, causing huge blasts, a security official told Xinhua.

The security source said on anonymity that “a missile fired by the Houthi rebels landed on Abu Musa Ashary army base in Alkhokha district of Hodeidah, killing two soldiers and injuring 18 others at the scene.”

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Source: xinhuanet.com

Terrorist, pro-IS bandits killed in massive assault

BY AL JACINTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The military on Wednesday claimed to have killed nearly 20 pro-Islamic State (IS) bandits, including a Singaporean terrorist, in massive air and ground assaults on a remote hideout in Maguindanao.

The 6th Infantry Division said the campaign, which began on Monday, was aimed at destroying a big group of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

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Source: manilatimes.net

Attack by pirates forces MP to buy sea ambulance

Raicoast people will now have a sea ambulance that will also cater for sea emergencies in the Raicoast waters.

MP Peter Sapia made the announcement last week following the attack and robbery of 13 people from Astrolabe Bay local level government. Sapia said the district development authority planned to buy a sea ambulance.

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Source: thenational.com.pg

Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea nations partner on sea border patrol

By Eugene Agha Lagos

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gulf of Guinea nations that will allow for a seamless border patrol.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos yesterday on the activities to flag off this year’s multinational sea exercise code name “OBANGAME”.

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Source: dailytrust.com.ng

Nigerian Pirates Kidnap Five After Firefight with Escort Boat

According to the ICC IMB’s Piracy Report, Nigerian pirates kidnapped five crewmembers from an OSV in the Gulf of Guinea last weekend despite the efforts of a security escort vessel. After an active firefight between the escort and the attackers, pirates boarded the target vessel, ransacked its cabins and made off with the victims.

At about 1115 hours UTC on Saturday, at a position about 30 nm off Brass, Nigeria, armed pirates in two speed boats approached an OSV under way. The OSV’s captain called for help from what IMB ICC described as a “naval escort security boat,” which maneuvered to engage the attackers. One speed boat closed in from port side of the vessel and crossed the bow, while the other speed boat exchanged fire with the security boat.

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Source: maritime-executive.com

Gov’t to carry out counter-piracy drill

SEOUL, March 14 (Yonhap) — South Korea’s ocean ministry said Thursday it will carry out a joint counter-piracy drill with the Navy and shipping companies to prepare for various contingencies.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the training will be conducted on Friday in waters off the southern coast with the Navy’s Cheonghae Unit, which was created around a decade ago for anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast, taking part.

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Source: en.yna.co.kr

Iran warns of firm response if Israel acts against its oil shipments

LONDON (Reuters) – Iran will respond firmly to any Israeli naval action against its oil shipments, Iran’s defense minister said on Wednesday, in comments that came a week after Israel’s prime minister said its navy could act against Iranian oil “smuggling” to enforce U.S. sanctions.

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Source: reuters.com

Robbery – Brazil (March 10th)

Two robbers armed with knives boarded an anchored bulk carrier by using a rope with a hook at 0430 UTC in position 00:03.5N – 050:57.8W, Macapa Anchorage, Brazil. Duty AB on routine rounds spotted the robbers and immediately informed the OOW, who raised the alarm. PA announcement made and all crew mustered. Seeing the alerted crew, the robbers escaped without stealing anything. Incident was reported to Port Authorities. Reported (IMB) 10 Mar. Via OCEANUSLive.org

UPDATE: Pirate Attack – Gulf of Guinea (March 9th)

Pirates armed with machine guns in two speed boats approached an underway offshore support vessel at 1115 UTC in position 03:57.2N – 006:39E, around 32nm SE of Brass, Nigeria. Captain immediately notified the naval escort security boat which manoeuvred to engage the attackers. One speed boat closed in from port side of the vessel and crossed the bow, while the other speed boat exchanged fire with the security boat. Alarm raised, crew proceeded to the engine room and all power was shut down. The pirates boarded the vessel with the aid of an elongated ladder. They broke into the accommodation, vandalised the cabins and took crew belongings and vessel properties. The pirates then proceeded to the engine room, kidnapped five men and escaped. Remaining crew sailed the OSV under escort to a safe anchorage. One Nigerian Navy armed guard reported killed in the exchange of fire between the naval security boat and the pirates. Investigations ongoing. Reported (MDAT/IMB) 9 Mar. Via OCEANUSLive.org.