By Micah Jonah
25 January 2026
Operatives of the Department of State Services DSS on Saturday arrested two suspected members of a sea piracy gang in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, while they were allegedly finalizing plans to hijack a crude oil laden vessel in the Gulf of Guinea.
The suspects were identified as Geoffrey Atizara, 38, from Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Divine Kelechi Unueze, 42, from Nekede in Owerri, Imo State. They were reportedly arrested at a hotel on Tenacious Street in the Edepie area of Yenagoa, according to security sources.
Sources disclosed that preliminary intelligence, supported by confessional statements from the suspects, revealed that the duo and other members of their syndicate were plotting to seize a vessel, abduct crew members and steal the cargo.
Investigations further showed that Unueze allegedly financed the operation, while Atizara was responsible for recruiting additional members of the piracy gang.
“The suspects have admitted to being part of a high profile criminal network operating across the South East and South South regions, mainly involved in sea piracy and kidnapping,” a source said.
Another source added that the arrest has disrupted what could have posed a major threat to maritime security in the oil rich Gulf of Guinea, considering the level of sophistication and resources available to the group.
The source further revealed that the DSS, working with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, has intensified intelligence driven operations to curb maritime crimes in the region.
Recent successes, the source noted, include the interception of several pirate speedboats and the rescue of crew members from hijacked vessels off the coasts of Bayelsa and Delta States.
The arrest of the two suspects is said to be part of sustained efforts by security agencies to improve safety in Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
It would be recalled that barely a week ago, the DSS in separate joint operations with sister security agencies and forest guards rescued abducted pastors, other victims in Kaduna and Borno States.
