The Ghana Navy has rescued 8 crewmen on board Turkish vessel, Paskoy-1, after they were attacked and abandoned on sea by pirates in Nigerian territorial waters.
The vessel was en route La Cote D’Ivoire from Cameroon when the pirates kidnapped 10 crewmen of the total 18, including the captain of the vessel. The pirates were believed to undertaken have done so for ransom, for the release of the captives.
The rescued 8, have been brought to the Tema Port, where the Ambassador of Turkey has been contacted to arrange for their safe travel back to Turkey and other necessary arrangements.
The Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Ozlem Ergun Uluren, who confirmed that the rescued 8 are in good health, expressed appreciation to the Ghana Navy and allied security authorities for bringing the troubled Turkish crewmen and vessel to safety in Ghanaian waters.
Commodore James Kontoh, Flag Officer in Charge of the Eastern Naval Command, bemoaned the threat the Gulf of Guinea is posing on travelers but affirmed the Ghana Navy’s resolve to ensure Ghana’s territorial waters remain safe.
“The Gulf of Guinea area has become very notorious, in terms piracy and kidnapping, but our resolve is to make sure our territorial waters are safe. We have been carrying out vigorous patrol, to make sure that they do not come here.”
