By Victor Akaa, Abuja
The Military High Command says, the personnel of Nigerian Navy (NN) Ship OSE were commended for their show of gallantry and high level of professionalism during the rescue of 11 crew members onboard ,a Portuguese flagged container ship, MV TOMMI RITSCHER.
The commendation was given by the the Chief of Naval Staff Benin Navy, Captain Albert Ezin Badou.
The merchant ship which had 19 crew members consisting of Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Filipinos nationals was attacked by pirates in Benin territorial waters on 18 April 2020.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMOs), Defence headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche in a statement to Enugu Reporters explained that the Benin Navy had on 19 April 2020 requested for assistance from the Nigerian Navy (NN) in line with the MoU of the ECOWAS Maritime Zone ‘E’.
He said, the Nigerian Navy jointly with Benin Navy swung into action and rescued the 11 crew members the following day which was on 20 April 2020.
Enenche however said, the remaining 8 members of the ship and the pirates could not be found during the rescue operation on that faithful day.
The Coordinator added that in recognition of the role the Nigerian Navy played in the successful rescue operation, Captain Badou expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Navy Ship OSE’s ship company under the command of the Officer-in-Charge of the ship, Lt. Bilyaminu Umar Abubakar for their prompt response to the incident that led the rescued of 11 members onboard.
According to him, “from the moment you arrived Benin territorial waters on 19 Apr 20, you demonstrated good seamanship and security awareness in jointly patrolling the sea around the vessel with our Benin Navy patrol boats.
“This effort prevented further insecurity incidences relating to the vessel and helped build confidence in our maritime security response against piracy in the ECOWAS Zone ‘E’ maritime domain”. Captain Badou stated.
He further applauded the NN Special Boat Service team that participated in the rescue for display of exceptional bravery and tactics in boarding the hijacked vessel to rescue the 11 crew members without any casualty.
Captain Badou noted with delight the great success achieved by the joint operation which has further cemented the brotherly ties shared by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Benin. He also specifically thanked the Nigeria
