Vessel Boarded 55nm SSW Cotonou

Reporting by the IMB has indicated that a vessel has been boarded 55nm SSW of Cotonou. 

Reports indicate that all crew have reached the citadel. 

The vessel is understood to have been outbound from Lagos. The vessel is understood to have a crew of 21, all believed to be Indian nationals. 

The precise nature of the incident remains uncertain at this time however the incident is not thought to be a piracy event. Unverified reporting indicates that the incident may be linked to an ongoing military operation by the Nigerian Navy. The Nigerian Navy have previously operated within waters off Benin, notably in an operation involving the attempted kidnap of crew from the TOMMI RITSCHER in April 2020. 

There have been no reported incidents within the waters off Benin and Togo since the 31 May 2021.