A violent pirate attack occurred in Gabonese territorial waters during the early hours of Saturday, January 10, 2026, resulting in the abduction of nine sailors.
The vessel, a Gabonese-flagged trawler named IB Fish 7, was operating approximately seven nautical miles southwest of Equata when it was boarded by three armed individuals at around 2:00 a.m. According to an official statement from the Ministry of National Defense, the kidnappers targeted specific crew members before fleeing the scene.
The kidnapped group consists of five Chinese nationals and four Indonesians. Six other crew members of Chinese, Indonesian, and Burkinabe nationalities remained on the vessel following the raid. Upon being alerted to the maritime security breach, the Gabonese Navy and the National Gendarmerie’s maritime units launched an immediate response. Security forces successfully located the IB Fish 7 and provided an armed escort back to the port of Owendo in Libreville.
Minister of National Defense Brigitte Onkanowa confirmed that the government is monitoring the situation at the highest levels. The Libreville Public Prosecutor’s Office has formally opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the boarding and to identify the criminal group responsible for the assault. Local authorities are working alongside international partners to trace the whereabouts of the abducted sailors and ensure their safe return.
This incident underscores the persistent threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which remains one of the world’s most dangerous maritime regions. While Gabonese authorities have increased patrols in recent years, the proximity of the attack to the coast highlights the ongoing challenges of securing territorial waters against highly mobile and well-armed criminal networks.
DM/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA