Pirates attacked Ghanaian fishermen off the country’s coast on Thursday, seizing their outboard motors and leaving them stranded at sea.
The assault occurred in the Gulf of Guinea, a vital trade corridor long plagued by maritime insecurity affecting oil and gas shipments.
Coastal nations and European allies have reduced attacks in the gulf, which stretches from Angola to Liberia, yet dangers clearly remain.
Ghanaian MP Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui said the fishermen were targeted near her Awutu Senya West constituency after an overnight expedition.
“Armed men opened fire and stole motors and generator sets from seven canoes, leaving the fishermen adrift,” she told AFP.
The attackers’ identities remain unknown, though they reportedly used a “black boat” and were possibly Nigerian, according to rescued fishermen.
Ghana’s navy and air force conducted a search, safely evacuating 71 fishermen, the military said in an official statement.
Interviews confirmed that no Ghanaian fishermen were kidnapped during the attack, local authorities added, easing fears of abductions.
Television footage showed the rescued men arriving ashore, some describing the attackers’ speech as Nigerian pidgin, suggesting their origin.
Fisheries Commission Executive Director Benjamin Campion said this was not the first incident, citing recent attacks off the Volta region.
The commission plans to provide security training for fishermen, aiming to reduce the risk of future maritime incidents at sea.
Last month, nine sailors were kidnapped off Gabon, later rescued by the military, highlighting a persistent regional threat to seafarers.