By Mada Augustine Ngombu
Days after a cargo ship owned by Greek Company Ainaftis was spotted stranded and stuck off the coast of Bonthe District in the south of Sierra Leone, state security sources have confirmed that it will be brought ashore.
Politico learnt that Personnel of the country’s Navy had boarded the vessel that was said to be stuck on a sandbank and were being briefed by the crew believed to be mostly Pakistani that had successfully thwarted an attempted piracy.
A Press release from the Office of National Security dated Monday 21st November 2022, stated that the ship was sailing to Senegal from Nigeria when it was attacked by Pirates off the coast of Ghana.
However, the crew which comprised 12 Pakistani nationals reportedly battled with the pirates who later fled whilst the vessel drifted towards Sierra Leonean waters and then got stuck in a huge sandbank.
According to the press release, Personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Navy Wing were alerted, who then visited the scene and deployed armed guards on board the vessel.
The security sources also confirmed to Politico that the vessel is under their control and would conduct proper investigations.
They also confirmed that a helicopter that was reportedly seen hovering above the ship and its immediate surroundings was on a reconnaissance mission that they said was conducted by their security partners.
According to One Earth Foundation, West Africa has become the most dangerous area for ships, with piracy on the increase, as compared to other parts of the world.
Copyright © Politico Online (23/11/22)
