Three Crew Kidnapped From Dredger and Four Security Personnel Killed Near Mouth of Ramos River, Nigeria

January 02, 23:00 UTC: The trailer suction hopper dredger AMBIKA (IMO #7931026) has reportedly been attacked approx. 9nm East of Forcados Terminal in Nigeria and 3nm from the mouth of the Ramos river (approx. position 05°07’8 N 005°20’4 E.) An unreported number of pirates armed with firearms approached and exchanged heavy fire with the embarked security team.

At least 4 members of the security team were reportedly killed, and two injured, afterwhich the pirates boarded the AMBIKA and kidnapped three crew members (2 Russians and 1 Indian) leaving five crew on board. The four persons killed are being transported to the naval hospital in Warri, while efforts are underway to free the three kidnapped mariners. There are currently limited open-source reports that are conflicting, stating that the security team may have been responding to the boarding and kidnapping, rather than being onboard originally.

Sources: Multiple Including Premium Times, The Moscow Times, RIA Novosti, Dryad Global, and Marine Insight)