Senya Bereku, Central Region – A major rescue operation has successfully brought 38 fishermen to safety after they were left stranded at sea following a violent pirate attack. The incident occurred off the coast of Senya Bereku on Thursday, February 26, 2026, sparking fresh fears among coastal communities about the security of local waters.
The fishermen, who were onboard two locally manufactured canoes, were returning from a routine fishing expedition in the early hours of the morning when they were ambushed. According to preliminary reports, a black boat carrying armed individuals intercepted the canoes. The assailants reportedly fired warning shots to intimidate the crew before robbing them of valuable equipment, including outboard motors and generator sets, and leaving the fishermen helpless and adrift at sea.
The distress call triggered an immediate response from a joint rescue team comprising the Marine Police Unit and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). They worked alongside the Ghana Armed Forces, which had earlier launched a dawn search operation approximately 35 nautical miles off the coast to locate and rescue any remaining victims.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that additional canoes linked to the incident had been located. They appealed to the public to remain calm while assuring that updates would be provided as the situation develops.
The rescued fishermen are now safe on shore, and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has begun taking statements from them as part of a full-scale investigation into the attack. The incident has heightened concerns within the fishing industry about the growing threat of armed robberies at sea, which endanger the lives and livelihoods of local fishermen.
