Hijacked Isle of Wight tanker: Seven Nigerian nationals handed to Hampshire police by special services after Nave Andromeda incident

SEVEN stowaways have been detained after special services raided an oil tanker off the coast of the Isle of Wight.
The Nave Andromeda in the port on October 26, 2020 in Southampton, England. The 228-metre, Liberian-registered oil tanker was carrying oil from Nigeria to the port of Southampton when it was subjected to a suspect hijacking by stowaways off the coast of the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of the British Isles.  (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)The Nave Andromeda in the port on October 26, 2020 in Southampton, England. The 228-metre, Liberian-registered oil tanker was carrying oil from Nigeria to the port of Southampton when it was subjected to a suspect hijacking by stowaways off the coast of the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of the British Isles.  (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
The Nave Andromeda in the port on October 26, 2020 in Southampton, England. The 228-metre, Liberian-registered oil tanker was carrying oil from Nigeria to the port of Southampton when it was subjected to a suspect hijacking by stowaways off the coast of the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of the British Isles. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

Approximately 16 members of the Special Boat Service (SBS) secured the Nave Andromeda in around nine minutes and detained seven Nigerian nationals, who have been handed to Hampshire Police.

The force was alerted to concerns over the welfare of the crew of the 228-metre long vessel after 10am yesterday as the ship headed towards Southampton, having set sail from Lagos in Nigeria.

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According to maritime tracking websites, the ship reached port in Southampton early on Monday morning.

The Ministry of Defence said: ‘In response to a police request, the Defence Secretary and Home Secretary authorised Armed Forces personnel to board a ship in the English Channel to safeguard life and secure a ship that was subject to suspected hijacking.

‘Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained.

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‘Police investigations will now continue. Police said all 22 crew members of the tanker were safe.

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Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: ‘I think this has got all the hallmarks of a situation where a number of stowaways are seeking political asylum, presumably in the UK.

‘At some stage they got aggressive.

‘Clearly no one knew at the time how aggressive they were, whether they were armed or not, what their motives were, because there will have been confusion at that stage.

‘In the discussions taking place between the ship’s captain and the authorities in the UK – both police and the military – they will have decided at some stage the least risky option was to board the vessel using the special forces as it turned out in the end.’

Defence secretary Ben Wallace said: ‘I commend the hard work of the armed forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship.

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‘In dark skies, and worsening weather, we should all be grateful for our brave personnel. People are safe tonight thanks to their efforts.’

Home Secretary Priti Patel added: ‘Tonight we are thankful for the quick and decisive action of our police and armed forces who were able to bring this situation under control, guaranteeing the safety of all those on board.’

An exclusion zone with a three mile radius was placed around the vessel, with two coastguard helicopters spotted circling the ship in the afternoon.

Four military helicopters – thought to have included two Merlin Mk 4s, a Wildcat and a Chinook – took 40 personnel to the scene.

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The News has approached Hampshire police for further information about the seven people detained.

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