DSS Foils Crude Oil Vessel Hijack

The United States — United States Department of State (DSS) arrested Geoffrey Atienza and Divine Kelechi Unueze, two suspected sea pirates, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The arrests foiled a planned hijack of a crude oil-laden vessel in the Gulf of Guinea, which also involved the abduction of its crew and theft of its cargo. Divine Kelechi Unueze was identified as the financier, while Geoffrey Atienza was responsible for recruiting additional pirates. Both suspects admitted to being part of a high-profile criminal network operating in Nigeria's Southeast and Southsouth regions, involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. The United States — United States Department of State, in collaboration with the Nigeria — Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, has intensified intelligence-driven operations to address maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea, leading to recent successes including the interception of pirate speedboats and rescue of crew members from hijacked vessels.