Nigeria’s Maritime Guard under theIntegrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project managed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has foiled a piracy attack on a Malta-flagged chemical tanker, ENDO PONENTE, on the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Lome, Togo.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Agency ’s commitment to regional maritime security cooperation.

According to a statement by the Deputy Director/ Head, Public Relations of NIMASA, Osagie Edward, the C4i Centre of the Deep Blue Project got an alert regarding an attempt by pirates to board MT ENDO PONENTE, which was rebuffed following the deployment of NIMASA’s Special Mission Vessel, DB Lagos, operated by the Nigerian Navy under the Deep Blue Project.

The statement reads in part: “At 20:53hrs on Thursday, August 28, 2025, the C4i Centre of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA received an alert from the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade MDAT, Gulf of Guinea Watchkeepers regarding an attempted boarding of the Malta-flagged chemical tanker, ENDO PONENTE, at position 05°10’N, 001°23’E, close to Lome Port, Togo.

“Intelligence gathered from the C4i Centre later placed the vessel at 04°19’16” N, 01°35’59” E, within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ. The NIMASA’s Special Mission Vessel DB Lagos, operated by the Nigerian Navy under the Deep Blue Project, was immediately alerted and is currently closing in on the distressed vessel.

“The crew has retreated to the Citadel in line with international best practice for ship security.”

It was further gathered that NIMASA is actively coordinating with the Nigerian Navy and other regional maritime security agencies to ensure the safety of the crew and to support ongoing investigations into the incident.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Mobereola, who commented on the incident assured that the Agency is committed to regional maritime security cooperation.

He said: “NIMASA remains committed to strengthening security collaboration across the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard seafarers, deter criminal activity, and ensure safer maritime trade, leveraging on the Deep Blue Project.”

Recall that MT ENDO PONENTE is a moderate-risk Maltese-flagged chemical tanker, and generally operates across West, Central, and Southern African regions. Its last port call was at Kalamu, Democratic Republic of Congo.