Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Yenagoa, Nigeria — Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have disrupted a potentially major maritime crime plot by arresting two suspected members of a sea piracy syndicate in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, as they were allegedly preparing to hijack a crude oil-laden vessel in the Gulf of Guinea. The operation, carried out on Saturday, reflects intensified intelligence-led security efforts to counter rising threats to maritime security in West Africa’s vital shipping lanes.
Security sources confirmed that the suspects were apprehended at a hotel on Tenacious Street in the Edepie area of Yenagoa, where they were reportedly finalising logistical and tactical plans for the intended attack on the vessel.
The men have been identified as Geoffrey Atizara, 38, a native of Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, and Divine Kelechi Unueze, 42, from Nekede in Owerri, Imo State. Initial investigations indicate that Unueze was believed to be the financier of the scheme, while Atizara was allegedly responsible for recruiting additional members to carry out the planned hijack.
According to security sources, preliminary intelligence and confessional statements obtained from the suspects suggest they were part of a well-organised criminal network operating across Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions, profiting from sea piracy, kidnapping and related maritime crimes. If carried out, the attack would have involved seizing control of the vessel, abducting its crew and stealing its cargo — tactics that have increasingly threatened shipping and oil operations in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Gulf of Guinea, a crucial corridor for global crude oil shipments and commercial shipping, has been identified by international maritime organizations as a persistent piracy hotspot, with incidents of armed robbery, hijackings, and crew abductions reported in recent years. Nigerian and regional security agencies have stepped up patrols and cooperative operations to counter these threats, but criminal networks continue to evolve and test enforcement responses.
The DSS, working in coordination with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, has intensified intelligence-driven operations to address these maritime security challenges. Sources said that recent successes by the agencies include intercepting pirate speedboats and rescuing crew members from previously attacked vessels off the coasts of Bayelsa and Delta states.
Security officials stated that the arrest of Atizara and Unueze represents a proactive disruption of criminal planning before a catastrophic attack could be launched. Their detention has also prompted broader investigations into the suspected network’s reach, financial backing and operational links, both within Nigeria and potentially across the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
In addition to cracking down on maritime piracy, the DSS has continued to pursue suspects involved in other violent crimes nationwide, including joint operations with other agencies and forest guards that recently led to the rescue of abducted pastors and other victims in Kaduna and Borno states.
No official public statement has yet been issued by the DSS on the arrests, and the suspects remain in custody as investigations advance. Authorities say formal charges are expected to be brought once prosecutorial briefs are ready, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to prosecuting individuals implicated in threats to national and regional maritime security.
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