Magistrates grant police extra time to grill oil tanker hijackers

DETECTIVES questioning a group of Nigerian stowaways who seized a ship have been granted more time to grill the suspected hijackers.
Tom Cotterill
By Tom Cotterill
Published 28th Oct 2020, 16:24 BST
Pictured: A police boat patrolling next to the Nave Andromeda at berth in Port of Southampton this afternoon, following the major incident off the east coast of the Isle of Wight after seven stowaways were detained from the vessel after a reported hijacking. Photo: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo AgencyPictured: A police boat patrolling next to the Nave Andromeda at berth in Port of Southampton this afternoon, following the major incident off the east coast of the Isle of Wight after seven stowaways were detained from the vessel after a reported hijacking. Photo: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency
Pictured: A police boat patrolling next to the Nave Andromeda at berth in Port of Southampton this afternoon, following the major incident off the east coast of the Isle of Wight after seven stowaways were detained from the vessel after a reported hijacking. Photo: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency

Southampton Magistrates’ Court granted a further custody extension for police to quiz the seven men.

The group seized oil tanker Nave Andromeda on Sunday morning outside Portsmouth, off the east coast of the Isle of Wight.

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Hampshire police said the seven men had started to threaten the 22-strong crew of the tanker, forcing the sailors to retreat into a safe room on the ship.

The incident sparked a 10-hour stand-off with police, who eventually called in the military to retake the ship.

Sixteen elite commandos from the Special Boat Service stormed the ship, retaking it in seven minutes and detaining the stowaways.

Officers had 24 hours to question someone in custody. After the first 24 hours, they then apply for 12 more hours with authorisation from a senior officer.

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After that, all applications must be applied via the courts and authorised by a judge. A maximum of 96 hours can be granted.

Hampshire police said enquires are still on-going.

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