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Nigerian navy frees hijacked Singapore-owned oil tanker Nigerian navy frees hijacked Singapore-owned oil tanker
(about 1 hour later)
Nigeria's navy says it has rescued a Singapore-owned oil tanker hijacked by pirates on Tuesday night.Nigeria's navy says it has rescued a Singapore-owned oil tanker hijacked by pirates on Tuesday night.
Navy spokesman Kabir Aliyu told the BBC the crew was safe, the hijackers had fled and the vessel, the Abu Dhabi Star, was being escorted into the port of Lagos.Navy spokesman Kabir Aliyu told the BBC the crew was safe, the hijackers had fled and the vessel, the Abu Dhabi Star, was being escorted into the port of Lagos.
Earlier, the navy denied reports that the tanker was seized in the port.Earlier, the navy denied reports that the tanker was seized in the port.
There has been a significant increase in the number of pirate attacks in parts of West Africa.There has been a significant increase in the number of pirate attacks in parts of West Africa.
The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says instead of seeking a hefty ransom the armed gangs tend to steal the cargo before releasing the crew.The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says instead of seeking a hefty ransom the armed gangs tend to steal the cargo before releasing the crew.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) told the AFP news agency that 23 crew members were on board when the tanker was captured and they had locked themselves in a safe room. Commodore Aliyu said no shots were fired before the hijackers abandoned the Abu Dhabi Star.
Noel Choong, head of the IMB's Malaysia-based piracy reporting centre, said those behind the attack may be the same criminal syndicate that seized two tankers off Togo last month, siphoned off the oil and later released the crew and ships. Earlier the navy had sent two ships and a helicopter to the scene.
"We want to commend the superb effort of the Nigerian navy in securing the safe release of the Abu Dhabi Star. There were no casualties and the cargo is intact," Pottengal Mukundan, the director of the International Maritime Bureau, told the BBC.
"It is very important that the Nigerian authorities apprehend, investigate and try those who carried out the attack," he said.
Our correspondent says questions will be asked as to how the pirates were able to hijack the ship so close to the coastline and how they managed to escape.
Last month there were two similar hijackings just along the coast near Togo.
In both incidents the oil was siphoned off before the vessels and crew were released.
Last year, Nigeria and neighbouring Benin began joint naval patrols in an effort to combat the threat of pirates.Last year, Nigeria and neighbouring Benin began joint naval patrols in an effort to combat the threat of pirates.