The Ghana Navy has launched an investigation into a suspected pirate attack on a Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, the MENGXIN 1, which occurred in Ghanaian waters on Thursday evening, 27 March 2025.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the attack took place around 5:53 PM when seven armed individuals boarded the vessel and fired warning shots. The crew members were forced to seek refuge in a secure area on the ship, while the pirates held them on deck for several hours. During the attack, the pirates confiscated the crew’s mobile phones.

When the attackers departed, the remaining crew members discovered that three senior staff members—Captain, Chief Mate, and Chief Engineer, all Chinese nationals—were missing. They are feared to have been abducted.

The crew, unharmed but shaken, sailed towards land to report the incident, as there was no mobile network coverage at sea. The MENGXIN 1 has since safely docked at Tema Fishing Harbour, where Marine Police and Naval Intelligence personnel from the Eastern Naval Command conducted initial investigations.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the incident and the suspected kidnapping. In response, information has been shared with neighbouring countries through the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone F in Accra, as part of regional efforts to combat piracy under the Yaoundé Architecture for maritime security.

Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, assured the public that intelligence agencies are working to locate and rescue the kidnapped crew members. The Ghana Navy has also pledged to collaborate with regional and international partners to address the growing threat of piracy in the region and to ensure the safety of vessels operating in Ghanaian waters.

Source:TheDotNews ß