Nigerian ‘Pirate’ Boss Set To Be Extradited and Prosecuted In Netherlands

A suspected Nigerian ‘pirate’ boss, Itoruboemi Benson Lobia, is set to be extradited to the Netherlands for prosecution.

According to Timeslive, the move follows a ruling by South Africa’s Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The 27-year-old Lobia was arrested by South Africa’s Interpol branch at the OR Tambo International Airport, in November 2018, while seemingly fleeing to Mauritius following his most recent attack.

The crew of the Dutch cargo ship FWN Rapide was kidnapped in April 2018 while travelling between Ghana and Nigeria, held hostage for three weeks before being released following an intensive negotiation process.

The Dutch government has insisted Lobia was the leader of the pirate group, and suspects he may have also been responsible for other similar attacks and running a syndicate with international connections.

Lobia said he was hired by the Nigerian army, as a ships security officer, in charge of protecting the Nigerian waterways.