The Togo Navy has successfully thwarted an attempted piracy attack on the oil tanker *MT Endo Ponente* off the coast of Lome, Togo, ensuring the safety of all crew members and the vessel.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 28, 2025, when pirates made an unsuccessful attempt to board the vessel in the Gulf of Guinea. A Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team from the Togo Navy quickly intervened, securing the ship and confirming that no casualties or material damage were recorded.
Following the operation, the vessel was placed under the custody of the Togo Navy, which promptly notified the *Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC), Zone E*, under the Yaoundé Architecture for maritime security. MMCC Zone E coordinates joint maritime security operations across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Niger Republic.
The incident also saw cross-border collaboration, with *MMCC Zone F* in Accra, Ghana, providing continuous monitoring and information-sharing with relevant stakeholders.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) disclosed that its Special Mission Vessel, *DB Lagos*, operated by the Nigerian Navy under the *Deep Blue Project*, was deployed after the attempted attack was detected at the NIMASA C4i Centre in Lagos.
NIMASA’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Mr. Osagie Edward, FNIPR, described the operation as a testament to the effectiveness of regional cooperation and information-sharing in deterring piracy across the Gulf of Guinea.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the attackers behind the foiled incident.