At the outset of the attack, the St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged tanker, loaded with 17,000mt of petrol, sent a distress signal which was picked up by the Navy. The battle ensued after Nigerian Naval gunships intercepted the vessel and forced it into Nigerian waters, after which time the pirates attempted to escape in a speedboat while firing upon Naval vessels, said the Navy’s Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Hassan, speaking to Reuters.
"The gun battle lasted for about 30 minutes after which they were overpowered. On taking over the speed boat, four of the militants were alive and unhurt while the rest of the pirates were killed in the crossfire.”
The crew of the MT Notre were reportedly unharmed.
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