Crime
DSS Arrests Suspected Sea Pirates In Bayelsa, Foils Planned Hijack Of Crude Oil Vessel In Gulf Of Guinea
The duo have admitted to being part of a high-profile criminal network operating across the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State– Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two suspected members of a notorious sea piracy syndicate in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, over an alleged plot to hijack a crude oil–laden vessel in the Gulf of Guinea and abduct its crew.
Afrika Eyes gathered that the suspects were apprehended on Saturday at a hotel on Tenacious Street in the Edepie area of Yenagoa while allegedly finalising plans for the operation.
The suspects were identified as Geoffrey Atizara, 38, a native of Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Divine Kelechi Unueze, 42, from Nekede in Owerri, Imo State.
Meawhile, preliminary intelligence reports, backed by confessional statements made by the suspects, revealed that they were part of a larger criminal network planning to seize a vessel conveying crude oil, kidnap its crew members for ransom and steal the cargo.
NTA quoting sources, disclosed that Unueze was the financier of the planned operation, while Atizara was responsible for recruiting additional pirates to execute the attack.
“The duo have admitted to being part of a high-profile criminal network operating across the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, with sea piracy and kidnapping as their major sources of income,” the source said.
Another security official noted that the arrest had disrupted what could have been a major maritime security breach in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea.
“Considering the level of sophistication and the resources available to this pirate gang, the operation they were planning would have posed a serious threat to maritime activities in the region,” the source added.
Further findings revealed that the DSS, working closely with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, has stepped up intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing piracy, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Nigeria’s coastal waters.
Recent successes include the interception of several pirate speedboats and the rescue of crew members from hijacked vessels off the coasts of Bayelsa and Delta States.
The arrest of the two suspected sea pirates is the latest in a string of security breakthroughs recorded by agencies operating in the region, the source added.
Recall that barely a week ago, the DSS, in separate joint operations with sister security agencies and forest guards, rescued abducted pastors and other victims in Kaduna and Borno States.
