It has been two weeks since the suspected kidnapping of three crew members aboard the Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, Mengxin 1, and investigators say there is still no trace of the missing individuals.
Updating the media during a press briefing held aboard the French Offshore Patrol Vessel Ducuing, currently docked at Tema Port, the Director of Naval Operations said the investigative team continues to search for leads. The three missing crew members, all Chinese nationals, include the vessel’s captain, chief mate, and chief engineer.
The incident occurred at approximately 17:53 hours, when seven armed men boarded Mengxin 1 while it was operating offshore. The assailants fired warning shots, causing several crew members to flee and hide within the vessel in what turned into a three-hour ordeal.
According to surviving crew members, the armed attackers ordered everyone on deck, seized their mobile phones, and remained aboard for hours before eventually leaving the vessel. Once the attackers had departed, the crew emerged from hiding only to discover that three key officers were missing.
Due to lack of network coverage at sea, the crew had to sail closer to the coast before they could report the incident to authorities.
Speaking to the media, the Director of Naval Operations, Captain (GN) Ebenezer Kwame Yirenkyi confirmed that, as of now, no tangible leads have been established regarding the whereabouts of the kidnapped seamen or the identity of the attackers.
“Our investigation teams are actively working to trace the kidnappers. We are engaging all necessary intelligence networks,” he said.
He also called on other national security agencies to collaborate with the Navy by helping to identify suspected pirates who may be living on land, particularly along coastal areas.
In a show of solidarity, Colonel Grégoire Madellin from the French Embassy in Ghana reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that French naval assets, including the Ducuing, are ready to assist in maintaining maritime security in the sub-region.
“France is committed to strengthening maritime security partnerships in West Africa and will continue to support Ghana in fighting piracy and illegal maritime activity,” Colonel Madellin stated.
This latest incident adds to growing concerns over maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, which remains a global hotspot for piracy and armed robbery at sea. The abduction of foreign nationals from Ghanaian-registered vessels also poses challenges to the country’s image as a safe maritime corridor.
The Ghana Navy has assured the public and affected families that all efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped individuals and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
