Headlines
Again ,Danish frigate engages pirates in Gulf of Guinea.

For the second time in less than a month, the Danish frigate Esbern Snare has been involved in yet another operation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Yesterday the Danish navy assisted a container ship believed to be under pirate attacks.
Although the identity of the containership was not disclosed in either report, other reporting points to the ship as being the Liberian-registered M/V Tonsberg.
AIS ship tracking data from MarineTraffic.com showed the Tonsberg as being underway from Cameroon to Cotonou, Benin, but apparently drifting.
One person was wounded and needed medical attention, while the pirates took six crew members hostage.
Six crew members have been taken hostage following an incident that occurred Monday when Danish frigate Esbern Snare was dispatched as part of an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Guinea.
In a press release issued Monday evening, the Defence Command of Denmark said that Esbern Snare came to the aid of a container ship following a pirate attack.
The Danish frigate received intel suggesting that a pirate group was active in international waters near the island of Bioko off the coast of Equatorial Guinea.
While Esbern Snare set out in the direction of the possible pirate group, attempts were made to contact civilian ships in the same area.
The attempts were unsuccessful, however, according to the report.
After a three-hour pursuit, the Seahawk helicopter aboard the frigate was sent ahead to observe. Upon approach, it received a Mayday signal from a container ship.
The signal means “ship in distress.”
The helicopter crew spotted a smaller vessel – a skiff – near the side of the container ship. The crew also noticed a number of suspected pirates and hostages board the skiff.
Allegedly, those on board the skiff jettisoned various objects, presumably in order to move faster.
With the hostages taken on board, they sailed north towards the Niger Delta.
To avoid endangering the hostages, the helicopter pursued the vessel at a safe distance for some time, after which it returned to Esbern Snare.
The frigate is not authorized to pursue pirates in national waters.
In the meantime, the frigate had received a message that several crew members were onboard the container ship and that a crew member was wounded, having been shot in the leg.
There were no reports of any pirates still on board the container ship.
For this reason, a boarding team was dispatched to the container ship to provide first aid.
The wounded individual subsequently received medical attention aboard Esbern Snare and is reported to be stable.
Later Monday evening, the boarding team was still present on the container ship, providing support and aiding in the search for the two missing crew members.
It was later confirmed that six crew members have been taken hostage by the pirates.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said in October that the number of piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf of Guinea region fell to 28 incidents through the first nine months of this year, compared to 46 for the same period in 2020.
Most notably, there were only four incidents reported off Nigeria through September, compared to 17 in 2020 and 41 in 2018.
Dryad noted that this latest attack occurred about 32 nautical miles northwest from where an offshore supply ship was attacked in October. Three people were kidnapped in that incident.
In November, the Danish Frigate killed four suspected pirates in the Gulf of Guinea while it captured four others alive while the ninth fell overboard.
Headlines
Edward Osagie, NIMASA spokesman, shines at 2025 National Spokespersons’ Awards in Abuja

–— emerges outstanding spokesperson in Marine and Blue Economy sector
Oyewale emerged winner in a highly competitive category that included Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga and Josephine Adokuru Mudasiru of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA.
The Chairman of the award’s Adjudication Committee, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, while commending the nominees, emphasized that the selection process was rigorous and driven by merit.
Oyewale stood out for his infusion of finesse in strategic communication, skillful workmanship, impactful media engagements and consistency in the excellent projection of the EFCC’s image and in enhancing public understanding of the Commission’s mandate and activities.
Other winners from other categories include: Olufemi Soneye (NNPCL) as Distinguished Spokesperson of the Year (Oil and Gas), Nigerian Customs Service as Best Corporate Spokesperson Team, Kashifu Inuwa (NITDA) as Most Supportive CEO to Spokespersons (Public Sector), Femi Babafemi (NDLEA) as Outstanding Spokesperson (Security Services).
Soneye (NNPCL) beat ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of Nigeria Police, Igo Weli-Shell Petroleum, Olumuyiwa Akande, SIFAX Group and Osagie Edward-NIMASA to emerge Spokesperson of the Year.
In his remarks, Joshua Audu Gana, Member House of Representatives congratulated the organizers for identifying and rewarding the outstanding communicators across various sectors.
The Special Guest of Honour, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, emphasized the need for institutions and organizations to involve spokespersons in policy formulation and decision-making processes, noting that spokespersons should be equipped with first-hand knowledge of key issues so as to enhance their effective and accurate public communication.
The National Spokespersons Awards is Nigeria’s foremost platform for celebration of excellence in public relations, strategic communication, and media management.
The award is an annual celebration of individuals and organizations that demonstrate professionalism, innovation, and impactful public communication.
Customs
Agricultural produce tops exports of 11,459 containers worth $986.4m through Apapa port in three months

Headlines
Stakeholders caution Nigeria over currency swap deal with China

-
Headlines3 months ago
UNODC seeks strategic partnership with EFCC
-
Customs3 months ago
Onyeka, Tin Can CAC, set to pursue revenue generation aggressively
-
Headlines3 months ago
Tinubu appoints Opeifa as MD, Nigeria Railway Corporation
-
Customs3 months ago
Nigeria Customs seeks stakeholders’ support as it launches AOE programme in February
-
Headlines3 months ago
EFCC discovers Yahoo training school in Benin city
-
Headlines2 months ago
Ubong Essien lectures real estate industry operators on opportunities in blue economy