Rescue of Kidnapped Chinese Crew Members in Nigeria

Three Chinese crew members abducted by pirates from the MV Menhin-1, a Ghanaian fishing vessel, have been successfully rescued in Nigeria, according to the Ghana Police Service.

During a press conference on Tuesday at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, the Director-General, detailed how the crew was taken hostage during a pirate attack on March 27, 2025, near Yenyano Waters close to Tema.

The pirates, armed and traveling in motorized wooden canoes, disrupted the ship’s communication systems before kidnapping the crew members.

The following day, on March 28, the Marine Police Command in Tema received a report from the fishing company and promptly initiated an investigation, collaborating with the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and other relevant agencies.

As per police accounts, the victims were blindfolded, transported by speedboat for approximately 24 hours, and subsequently moved to a remote area in Nigeria’s Delta region.

Once there, they were kept at a temporary camp under armed surveillance until they were unexpectedly left on April 25.

After their escape, the crew reached a local village where they received assistance to contact the Chinese embassy in Lagos.

The embassy validated their rescue on April 26, facilitating their return to Ghanaian authorities at Kotoka International Airport on April 27.

A debriefing took place on April 28 at the Police Headquarters in Accra, revealing that while the victims showed no physical injuries, they were in a state of distress and sought medical help.

The Inspector General of Police reached out to the victims, offering support and empathy for their experiences.

Currently, eight suspects have been arrested in relation to the kidnapping, including individuals such as Sueva Victor and Zhao Lang Hao, a Chinese cook. They face charges in the Tema District Court as investigations continue.

The police praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in the operation that led to the successful rescue of the crew members.