Dutch seek extradition of alleged Nigerian pirate

The suspected Nigerian kingpin behind a pirate attack during which men, armed with AK47s and M16s, ransacked the cabins, stealing electronics, money and jewellery, before discarding the cargo ship, FWN Rapide, and taking the crew hostage, has appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court. A Sunday Times report says Itoruboemi Benson Lobia (22) was nabbed at OR Tambo International Airport in November as he tried to board a plane to Mauritius. The 11 captives were held in a remote Nigerian village for almost a month as the kidnappers negotiated with the Dutch shipping company for their release. The pirates finally settled on a $340 000 (R4.7m) ransom and the crew was released. Now investigators in the Netherlands are trying to have Lobia extradited. Affidavits handed in to court describe Lobia as the suspected mastermind of a syndicate allegedly responsible for multiple attacks on ships travelling along the coast of Africa. ‘I estimate the organisation behind the hijacking is very large and powerful with contacts everywhere,’ senior tactical investigation officer William Hoeve wrote in his forensic report. Throughout the extradition proceedings, Lobia has claimed that the authorities have the wrong man. He is due back in court this week.