INCIDENT ONGOING
Event: Kidnap for Ransom
IMB Level: 1
Date and Time: 19 April 2020, 0640LT
Location: Cotonou Anchorage, Benin
Position: 06°16.998N 002°32.298E
Distance from Shore: 4.5nm
Vessel Details
Type: Containership
L x B: 255m x 37m
Event Details
Kidnapped: 8 crew
Injured: None reported
Killed: None reported
Security Present: None
Weather: Gentle Breeze / 1.1mm precipitation (thunderstorm)
Wave Height: 1.5m
Threat Details
Number of Perpetrators: Not reported
Number of Craft: 1 speedboat
Weapons Seen: Not reported
Equipment Seen: Not reported
Description. Containership reported as under pirate attack in Cotonou Anchorage.
UPDATE: Containership reported as being attacked and boarded by pirates. 11 crew members reported inside the Citadel, 8 crew members currently remain unaccounted for.
It has been reported that a Portuguese Warship is in the vicinity.
UPDATE 2: At 1600hrs, 19 April 2020, Nigerian Navy deployed a Navy vessel with a team of Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) onboard to assist the Benin Navy – NN vessel arrived at Cotonou Anchorage at approx. 2030hrs, 19 April 2020.
There are 2 Benin Navy vessels by the containership as well. Based on this, it would seem that pirates remain onboard with a potential hostage situation. Social media reports corroborate this. As of 0900hrs, 20 April, no further information.
UPDATE 3: As of 1430hrs, 21 April 2020, Nigerian Navy vessel and Benin Navy vessels have moved away from the containership and moved to Cotonou port. It is likely that the pirates managed to escape with the kidnapped 8 crew, although
this has not yet been confirmed for certain. Reports suggest that 11 crew were freed from the citadel by Navy forces and the Russian Embassy in Benin has confirmed at least 3 Russian crew onboard and possibly kidnapped.
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