Pirates leave captured vessel off Benin together with seized Russians

There are no other details at present, Russia’s embassy in Benin said

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. The pirates who boarded the container ship Tommi Ritscher in the Gulf of Guinea have left the vessel together with eight hostages, among whom there are three Russians, a representative of Russia’s embassy in Benin and Togo told TASS on Tuesday.

“The pirates have left the ship and the territorial waters of Benin,” the diplomat said, adding that “there are no other details at present.”

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Source: tass.com

Curfew in ESSZone extended to May 5

KOTA KINABALU, April 21 — The curfew in waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) that was ended at 6pm yesterday has been extended until May 5, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jas.

He said during the curfew, which covered the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran, people living in the areas were required to stay indoors and were not allowed to be in the waters between 6pm and 6am.

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Source: malaymail.com

Covid-19: Indian Navy remains ‘combat ready’ despite spread of coronavirus

The Indian Navy (IN) has emphasised that it remains “combat-ready, mission-capable, and in full readiness”, after 26 of its personnel were quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19 coronavirus.

“All missions for coastal and offshore security continue as before. Operational units are being maintained in readiness by following a 14-day quarantine routine to meet immediate contingencies, including assistance to civil authorities and friendly maritime neighbours, said India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) on 18 April. “Our naval assets continue to be mission-deployed in three dimensions, with all the networks and space assets functioning optimally,” it added.

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Source: janes.com

Philippines Kills Suspected Abu Sayyaf Bomb Expert, Vows ‘Relentless’ Operations against Militants

The Philippine government vowed Monday to pursue Abu Sayyaf militants relentlessly after the military said it killed a suspected senior member of the group in the wake of a Friday clash that left 11 soldiers dead in southern Sulu province.

Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group would continue without letup after last week’s gunfight on Sulu’s Jolo Island in which 14 other army members were wounded.

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Source: benarnews.org

Health worker injured as suspected sea pirates attack passenger boat in Bayelsa

By Emem Idio

Suspected sea pirates over the weekend attacked a passenger boat along the Akasssa-Brass-Nembe waterways in Bayelsa State injuring one health worker returning from a coronavirus sensitization campaign.

The sea pirates shot sporadically, injuring the health worker, who had to stay in water for about forty-five minutes before getting help from security operatives as the driver of the boat managed to escape with other travellers.

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Source: vanguardngr.com

MMEA beefs up patrol at hotspots

By IMRAN HILMY

LANGKAWI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has deployed more of its assets at sea and air to beef up patrols and increase enforcement during the movement control order (MCO) period nationwide.

Kedah and Perlis MMEA deputy operations director Kapt Zulinda Ramly said the increase of the assets was meant to prevent cross-border criminal activities, which include human trafficking, contraband smuggling, piracy and encroachment of foreign fishermen, especially at hotspots in the maritime zone along the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea and Sulu Sea.

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Source: thestar.com.my

Iran will give a decisive response to any “mistake” by the U.S. in the Gulf- Revolutionary Guards navy

Iran will give a decisive response to any mistake by the United States in the Gulf, the Revolutionary Guards navy said in a statement published on the Guards’ news site Sepah News.

The U.S. military said on Wednesday that 11 vessels from the Revolutionary Guards navy had come dangerously close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, calling the moves “dangerous and provocative”.

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Source: yahoo.com

Maritime security: NIMASA, Navy to improve information sharing

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Navy have made arrangements to improve information sharing through their respective security platforms to enhance maritime security in the country.

The NIMASA Command, Control, Computer Communication and Information Centre otherwise known as the C4i Centre of the Deep Blue Project along with the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy are undergoing integration.

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Source: vanguardngr.com

Pirates board containership off Benin, crew held

Marcus Hand

Pirates are reported to have attacked the containership Tommi Ritscher off Cotonou, Benin holding eight of the crew hostage.

The Portuguese-flagged boxship was boarded by an unknown number of people from a speedboat at Zone 3 anchorage, Cotonou, according to Dryad Global.

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Source: seatrade-maritime.com

Navy hands over 3 seized barges to EFCC in Rivers

Three barges allegedly involved in illicit oil deal and seized by the Nigerian Navy may be forfeited to the Federal Government on conclusion of investigation, a naval official said on Thursday.

The barges were allegedly moving unspecified quantity of petroleum product believed to be adulterated diesel before they were seized.

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Source: guardian.ng