The Ghana Navy has launched a probe into a suspected pirate attack on the Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel Mengxin 1, which occurred in Ghanaian waters on the evening of Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a press release issued by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the incident took place at approximately 1753 hours when seven armed individuals stormed the vessel and fired warning shots, causing crew members to seek cover in a safe area.
The pirates remained on board for about three hours, confiscating mobile phones and gathering the crew on deck.
Following the attack, three Chinese nationals—the ship’s Captain, Chief Mate, and Chief Engineer—were reported missing and are believed to have been kidnapped. The remaining crew members are safe, and the vessel has since docked at Tema Fishing Harbour.
Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, confirmed the incident and indicated the safety of the crew is a priority and that all efforts are being made to locate and rescue those abducted.
He disclosed that the navy is working with intelligence agencies and regional partners to track the perpetrators.
The vessel could only report the incident after it moved closer to land due to a lack of mobile network coverage at sea.
The Ghana Navy has since alerted neighboring countries through the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone F in Accra, under the Yaoundé Architecture for maritime security, to assist in tracking the kidnappers.
Security experts have long warned about the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which remains one of the world’s most dangerous maritime regions.
According to the release, the Marine Police and the Eastern Naval Command’s Naval Intelligence unit have conducted preliminary investigations, confirming the attack and the suspected abduction.
Authorities urge the public and the maritime community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could aid in locating the missing crew members. Investigations and rescue efforts are ongoing.