Nigerian Navy Declares Pirate, Charles Ekpemefumor, Wanted for Hijacking Ship

Nigerian Navy Declares Pirate, Charles Ekpemefumor, Wanted for Hijacking Ship

The Nigerian Navy has declared wanted an alleged pirate, Charles Ekpemefumor, for allegedly hijacking a vessel, Mt. Maximus, with 18 crew members in February this year.

The Director of Information on the navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, in a statement today, said investigation by the navy linked to Ekpemefumor who is also recognised as Charles Parker or Captain Charles Agaba

"It was earlier reported that a vessel, Mt. Maximus, with 18 crew members carrying 4,368.203MT of petroleum product was hijacked on February 11, 2016, by a group of suspected pirates off Cote d’Ivoire waters, consequently, the Nigerian navy was deployed for rescue operation.

"The vessel was eventually rescued on February 19, 2016, within Sao Tome waters 320 nautical miles (nm) off the Nigerian coast. During the rescue operation, six pirates were arrested, while one of them was killed. Some items were recovered from them including weapons and mobile phones," Ezekobe stated.

However, he said, in the course of investigations, it was revealed that on February 17, 2016, at about 10p.m., while the vessel was still hijacked, a GSM phone number +2348170000979 called Inmarsat Satellite phone number +8821644414815 onboard Mt Maximus.

"On further analysis, it was discovered that the GSM phone number belongs to one Mr. Charles Ekpemefumor a k a Charles Parker or Captain Charles Agaba. It was also revealed by the arrested pirates that Charles Parker is the mastermind of the hijack of the vessel," he said.

According to the director of information, the suspect was alleged to be responsible for the leasing of mother ship MT DEJIKUN from one Mr. Mustapha Kenny Gani through a third party, Mr. Steve Paul, used for the hijack.

In view of his involvement in the pirate attack and hijacking of Mt Maximus, he said, a letter of invitation was sent to him on April 15, 2016, to enable him come for questioning on the allegation.

Ezekobe said several attempts have been made to ensure his compliance but all efforts proved abortive.

"Accordingly, Ekpemefumor is hereby declared wanted by the naval headquarters in order to unravel the circumstances of the hijacked vessel.

"Therefore, any person who have him in sight should report immediately to any naval formation, military or security agencies for prompt action," Ezekobe noted.