Blog
Nigerian Navy Thwarts Piracy Attempt on Chemical Tanker Off Togo Coast
Nigerian Navy Thwarts Piracy Attempt on Chemical Tanker Off Togo Coast
EXCLUSIVE REPORT
Lagos, August 30, 2025
The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), successfully intercepted a piracy attempt on the Maltese-flagged chemical tanker MT Endo Ponente off the coast of Lome, Togo, marking the first such incident in the Gulf of Guinea region in over 90 days.
The attack commenced at approximately 8:53 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025, when NIMASA’s C4i Centre received an urgent alert from the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade (MDAT) Gulf of Guinea Watchkeepers. Pirates were reportedly attempting to board the vessel near position 05°10’N, 001°23’E, close to Lome Port.
Intelligence tracking subsequently placed the ship at coordinates 04°19’16″N, 01°35’59″E, within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, indicating the vessel had moved during the incident.
The Nigerian Navy’s Special Mission Vessel DB Lagos, operating under the Deep Blue Project, was immediately deployed to intercept and secure the distressed tanker. The quick intervention prevented what could have been a successful hijacking in waters that have seen significantly reduced piracy incidents in recent years.
The crew demonstrated professional preparedness by adhering to standard security protocols, retreating into the Citadel—a fortified section of the ship specifically designed to protect personnel during pirate attacks. All crew members remain safe and unharmed.
The MT Endo Ponente is classified as a moderate-risk vessel, operating as a chemical tanker that regularly navigates the waters of West, Central, and Southern Africa. Its last port of call was Kalamu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, emphasized Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional maritime security. “NIMASA remains committed to strengthening security collaboration across the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard seafarers, deter criminal activity, and ensure safer maritime trade, leveraging on the Deep Blue Project,” he stated.
This incident represents the first reported piracy attempt in the Gulf of Guinea region in at least 90 days, highlighting both the effectiveness of current security measures and the persistent threat that maritime criminals pose to commercial shipping.
The successful intervention showcases the effectiveness of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project, a comprehensive maritime security initiative that has significantly reduced piracy incidents in the region since its full deployment.
Maritime security analysts note that serious crimes against merchant ships have been dramatically reduced after peaking in 2020 in the Gulf of Guinea region, with collaborative efforts between regional navies and international maritime organizations proving increasingly effective.
NIMASA confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing, with continued coordination between the Nigerian Navy and other regional maritime security agencies to prevent similar occurrences.
The Gulf of Guinea, while remaining a strategically important but challenging maritime corridor, continues to benefit from enhanced security measures that have made such successful interventions possible.