Six seafarers have been finally released by pirates, after they have kidnapped them from a general cargo vessel on 30th June 2023.
In particular, these crew members were abducted from the Republic of Congo-controlled 1,300-dwt Oya 1 (constructed in 1986) at an anchorage off Doula based in Cameroon.
As Ambrey explained, since this case has been concluded, there is an enhanced treat of kidnaps for ransom against some merchant vessels from some West African criminal syndicates.
In addition, on January 2023, six months after the UN Security Council adopted a text compelling Gulf of Guinea countries to criminalize piracy and armed robbery at sea, Cameroon adopted a law to tackle piracy and improve safety of maritime navigation within its waters.
To remind, six years back, the vessel had a similar attack.
There was a credible threat and risk to merchant vessels, especially those transiting waters off Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Five crew members were abducted after the ship had left Takoradi in Ghana for Bonny.