New details have emerged following the harrowing midnight raid on the high seas, revealing that a total of 71 fishermen have been successfully rescued so far after a brutal encounter with armed pirates.

The victims, who were targeted in a coordinated ambush off the coast of the Central Region, describe a "near-death" experience at the hands of attackers allegedly wielding AK-47 assault rifles.

The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, confirmed the updated rescue figures on Thursday, 26th February 2026, in an update to Adom News, noting that the survivors were brought to safety at different landing sites.

A coordinated rescue across regions

According to the MP, the 71 survivors were split during the chaotic aftermath of the robbery. While the majority were brought back to the Central Region, others were forced to seek refuge in the Greater Accra Region due to the positioning of their vessels.

“47 of the victims were rescued to Senya Beraku, while the remaining 24 were also sent to Tema in the Greater Accra region,” Ms Tetteh-Agbotui revealed in an interview with Adom News.

The safe return of the men sparked emotional scenes at the Senya Bereku beach, where family members, many of whom could not control their tears, waited for news of their loved ones.

'They nearly killed us': Victim identifies attackers

Survivors of the raid provided chilling accounts of the violence used by the pirates. Neenyi Aquandoh, one of the fishermen aboard the targeted canoes, alleged that the attackers were of Nigerian nationality and were armed with military-grade weaponry.

“The suspects nearly killed us with AK-47,” Aquandoh recounted, describing the terror of being held at gunpoint while the "black boat" crew systematically stripped their vessels of valuable equipment.

The pirates reportedly focused on high-performance machinery, seizing outboard motors, generator sets, and vital premix fuel supplies, leaving the fishermen stranded and drifting in deep water.

Government intervention and trauma care

In response to the economic and physical blow dealt to the local fishing community, the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Okyere Panin, has intervened to ensure the survivors receive comprehensive care. Beyond the immediate physical recovery, the minister emphasised the need for mental health intervention following the life-threatening ordeal.

“The government will provide them with psychological support from the trauma they went through,” the Regional Minister stated.

Simultaneously, MP Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui has pledged to lead the efforts to restore the fishermen's livelihoods. Recognising that the loss of equipment effectively halts the income of dozens of families, she committed to replacing the stolen assets and providing immediate relief.