PIRATE GANG CAPTURED

[proud_ionian]

THE hijacking of a tanker in the Malacca Strait on Monday was foiled by a quick-thinking crew member. Ten armed pirates in a speedboat boarded a tanker underway off Langkawi Island. One crewman managed to escape in the boat used by pirates. He landed ashore and contacted the marine police at Langkawi Island who despatched a patrol boat. It located the hijacked tanker off Pulau Lebar and the pirates surrendered. The suspects have been taken to Langkawi. This represents a significant success for the authorities at a time when the number of hijackings has been increasing. It appears that smaller vessels, the typical targets of the pirates, have been heeding advice to stay close to the Malaysian side of the Strait. This has enticed the pirates into daring attacks right under the noses of the Malaysian authorities. The capture of an entire gang may well serve as deterrent to such attacks. Four violent attacks took place in the Bonny River, Nigeria, with shots being fired in all cases. Four violent attacks took place in the Bonny River, Nigeria, with shots being fired in all cases. In the worst incident “armed and aggressive” robbers boarded a container ship at anchor. They injured several crewmembers and shot and wounded one crewmember. They escaped in a high powered speed boat with ship's cash, bonded stores and crew personal belongings.

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