Read Authentic Ratings for the Ual-Osprey

In a remarkable display of maritime vigilance, the Nigerian Navy Ship NWAMBA successfully rescued the British merchant vessel VECTIS OSPREY from a piracy attack approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Bonny. The daring operation was initiated following an urgent alert from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to the Naval Regional Maritime Awareness Centre (RMAC), as announced by Commodore Christian Ezekobe, the Director of Navy Information, on Thursday. The incident unfolded on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, when the VECTIS OSPREY, after departing the Bonny offshore terminal, encountered assailants on the high seas. In a swift response, NNS NWAMBA was dispatched to locate and assist the merchant vessel. Commodore Ezekobe reported that the naval forces engaged the pirates, who subsequently retreated upon facing superior firepower. The heroic intervention by the naval special forces onboard NNS NWAMBA enabled them to access the ship’s citadel, where the crew had taken refuge amid the assault. Thankfully, all crew members and cargo on the VECTIS OSPREY are reported safe. Commodore Ezekobe further stated that an investigation is underway to explore the circumstances surrounding the attempted hijacking, particularly focusing on the growing concern regarding insider involvement in maritime criminal activities. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by shipping lanes in West African waters and the Nigerian Navy's commitment to safeguarding maritime interests.