GAF Rescues 71 Fishermen Following High Sea Robbery off Senya Bereku

 

ACCRA — The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have successfully concluded a major search and rescue operation, bringing 71 Ghanaian fishermen safely to shore after a violent armed robbery on the high seas.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, approximately 35 nautical miles off the coast of Gomoa Nyanyano and Senya Bereku in the Central Region.

The Attack

The fishermen were on a routine night expedition when they were intercepted by gunmen operating a "black boat."According to survivor accounts, the attackers were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and fired multiple warning shots to seize control of the fishing vessels.

The pirates systematically stripped the canoes of their most valuable equipment, including:

• 7 Outboard motors

• Generator sets

• Personal belongings and fuel

  
  

  
  

The theft left the seven affected boats—including vessels named Argentina 2, Argentina 3, Sea Lion, and Berema Nsukwa—dead in the water and drifting with the currents.

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The Rescue Operation

Following a distress call, the Ghana Navy launched a rescue mission at dawn on Thursday, February 26. The operation was a coordinated effort involving:

• The Special Boat Squadron (SBS): Deployed fast interceptor boats.

• Eastern and Western Naval Commands: Provided additional naval ships.

• The Ghana Air Force: Provided aerial surveillance to locate the drifting boats.

• Local Fisherfolk: Assisted in towing disabled vessels back to land.

By Thursday evening, the GAF confirmed that the search was over. The 71 victims were evacuated to two main locations based on where their boats had drifted: 47 men were returned to Senya Bereku, while 24 men were brought to the Tema Port.

Official Statements

In a press statement signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arihin, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the military confirmed:

"Interviews from the fishermen rescued indicate that no Ghanaian fisherman has been kidnapped."

The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, who was present at the landing site, clarified that while the men were traumatized, there were no fatalities. She confirmed that NADMO and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have begun processing the survivors and providing initial support.

The Ghana Navy has since intensified patrols within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and urged all maritime users to report suspicious activity immediately.