ATAC Global

  • About
    • ATAC Leadership
    • Vetting Process
  • Concierge Security
    • ATAC Concierge Security Membership
    • Corporate Security
    • Executive Risk Protection
    • Kidnap and Ransom
    • Private Yacht
    • Security Tips
      • Natural Disaster Tips-Preparation
    • Vulnerability Assessments
  • Security Sectors
    • Maritime Anti-Piracy
    • Land Security
    • Ports and Airports
    • Government Security Services
    • Energy Security
    • Oil and Gas
    • Cruise Ship Security
    • Private Yacht Security
    • Celebrity Security
  • Training
    • Staffing Solutions
      • Contractor Staffing Economics
      • ATAC Loadout Kits
      • ATAC Staffing FAQ
    • ATAC University
    • Capacity Building
    • UAV E-Learning
  • Robotics
    • ATAC Anti-Piracy Drone-UAV Advantage
    • ATAC UAV Quad Copter
    • Anti-Piracy Cargo UAV Video
    • Real Estate UAV Advantage
  • News
    • Most Recent News
    • Drone-UAV
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • East Africa and Indian Ocean
    • Europe and Mediterranean
    • Middle East
    • South East Asia
    • West Africa
  • ATAC Range Day®
    • ATAC Range Day® Status
    • About ATAC Range Day®
    • ATAC Range Day® Advertising and Sponsorship
    • ATAC Range Day® Media Credentialing
    • ATAC Range Day® Frequently Asked Questions
    • ATAC Range Day® Policies
  • Causes
    • White Heart Ride to the Flags
    • EOD Warrior Foundation-Andrew Bottrell
    • UAV to Red Rock Search-Rescue
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Events / Most Recent News / Nigeria Armed Pirates Take Hostages Off Oil Tanker

By ATAC Global

Nigeria Armed Pirates Take Hostages Off Oil Tanker

By Tom Clarke

Recent reports from Athens indicate the 6,500-ton Marshall Islands-flagged oil products tanker MT ALTHEA was attacked by Nigerian armed pirates.  The oil cargo remains untouched and the vessel released but the Nigerian pirates kidnapped two hostages, a Ukrainian captain and a Greek engineer.  The ship’s manager, Piraeus-based Medtankers Management, confirmed the attack.

The ship was attacked late on Monday around 35 nautical miles off the oil-producing Niger Delta coastline, a Nigerian security source said. The armed pirates fled with the two hostages in a speedboat, the source said.

Althea Pirate Attack

This attack is similar to the attack this past October on the supply vessel C-RETRIEVER, where two U.S. sailors, a captain and chief engineer, were taken hostage in an attack off the coast of Nigeria coast near oil rigs. Witnesses to that incident noted the crew was separated by nationality and U.S. sailors aboard the vessel ultimately were selected for kidnapping.

If the ALTHEA attack indicates a pattern by Nigeria pirates, the pirates are specifically motivated to kidnap human targets with the goal of obtaining ransom.  Where Somali pirates tend to hijack entire vessels and crews, Nigeria Armed Pirates use a more precise strategy. As a result it becomes difficult for ship owners and operators to ignore incidents.

Statistics from monitoring agencies note that piracy off the coast of Nigeria has increased by a third this past year. In June of this year the number of attacks off of Nigeria surpassed those off the Somali coast. Nigeria, its coast, and the oil rigs in the region are a growth sector for piracy. Parties with assets in the region need to seriously evaluate the defensive measures they employ.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
ATAC Global

ATAC Global

ATAC Global

Latest posts by ATAC Global (see all)

  • ATAC Range Day® 2020 - March 24, 2023
  • ATAC Range Day® 2019 - March 24, 2023
  • ATAC Range Day® 2018 - March 24, 2023
  • Maritime Perimeter Defense - March 24, 2023

Filed Under: Most Recent News Tagged With: hostages, Kidnapped, nigeria, Nigeria Armed Pirates, Pirates

  • Home
  • About ATAC
  • ATAC Maritime Security
  • ATAC Corporate Security
  • ATAC Anti Poaching
  • ATAC University
  • Areas of Risk
  • ATAC Training Courses
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Policies-Procedures and SOPs
  • ISO-PAS 28007
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright 1995 - 2019 - ATAC Global