Three Chinese nationals kidnapped by pirates during an assault on the Ghanaian fishing vessel MV Menhin-1 have been successfully rescued in Nigeria, according to the Ghana Police Service.
At a press briefing held at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra, the CID Director-General, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed that the attack occurred on March 27, 2025, around 7:30 p.m. in Yenyano waters near Tema. Armed with AK-47s, the pirates used wooden canoes fitted with outboard motors to storm the vessel, destroying its communication systems before abducting the three Chinese crew members.
Following a complaint lodged on March 28 by the fishing company, Ghanaian authorities—including the Marine Police Command in Tema, Ghana Navy, National Investigation Bureau, Ghana Maritime Authority, and others—launched a joint investigation.
Police findings revealed that the victims were blindfolded and transported by sea for 24 hours to Nigeria’s Delta region. They were then moved by motorcycle and on foot to a remote camp where they were held at gunpoint for nearly a month. On April 25, their captors unexpectedly abandoned them.
The victims reached a nearby village and received help from locals, who facilitated contact with the Chinese Embassy in Lagos. The embassy confirmed their rescue on April 26 and arranged for their return to Ghana, where they arrived via Kotoka International Airport on April 27. A debriefing followed the next day at police headquarters.
Although they showed no physical injuries, the rescued crew appeared deeply shaken and have since requested medical support. Ghana’s Inspector General of Police met with them to offer comfort and assure continued support.
Authorities have since apprehended eight suspects linked to the kidnapping, including individuals identified as Sueva Victor, Kojo Akweli, Eugene Chibuke, Mwonam, and Chinese nationals Zhao Lang Hao (a cook) and Zhao Hua (a second engineer). They have been brought before the Tema District Court as investigations progress.
The Ghana Police praised the collaboration among national and international partners that made the rescue mission possible.
Zagazola Makama
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