Pirates attack: Navy rescues 16, intensifies search for 3 abducted Russians off Lagos waters

The Nigerian Navy, on Wednesday, said its officers rescued 16 crew members onboard a Liberian flagged fishing vessel, MV WATER PHOENIX that was attacked by pirates off the Lagos Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) on Tuesday.

As at the time of the attack, the ship had on-board 11 Russians and seven Philippines and was said to be carrying about 5,505 metric tonnes of frozen fish.

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Those rescued are nine Russians and seven Philippines.

Command Information Officer, Western Naval Command, Commander Thomas Otuji, who confirmed the rescue operation to Daily Trust on phone said 16, out of the 18 crew members were rescued by a combined team of officers from Western Naval Command and those from the Special Boat Service (SBS).

Otuji disclosed that the command has intensified its effort to rescue the remaining two crew who were taken away by the gunmen.

He said naval officers deployed for the operation are currently combing the waters and creeks in Lagos, and that it has also extended its dragnet to other creeks in the South West region.