Pirates kidnap NSCDC personnel, 4 oil workers in Nigeria

According to news reports by various sources including Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper, suspected pirates have abducted an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and four contract staff working at the Conoil field in Koluama 1 in Bayelsa. A Spokesman of the NSCDC in Bayelsa, Solomon Ogbere, confirmed the development, saying:

“I can confirm that we are in receipt of the report of kidnap. One of our officers and four civilians were kidnapped while heading to their location where they protect Conoil facilities. They were all in mufti while returning to their base when they were attacked. Investigation is ongoing to track down the culprits.” Read the full report by clicking here.

Of additional note on October 20, 2021, the Bayelsa state government was forced to impose a curfew and ban the use of speed boats with 200 Horse Power Engines on all waterways in the state as a response to increasing pirate attacks.

With these latest incidents in mind, alongside the recently reported killing of four pirates by a Danish frigate (read that news update by clicking here), what does this mean for maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea? Our next #AreteDeepDive analyses these developments and examines the ‘so what’ for shipping operators in the region.

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