Pirates release a crew of 22 Indian sailors and the entire cargo of oil on merchant ship Marine Express, hijacked last Thursday.
The Hong Kong based firm Anglo Eastern Univan Group said the crew members are safe. The firm appointed the Indian nationals on board. Registered in Panama, the Marine Express was carrying 13,500 tonnes of gasoline.
Reports state the release was made after a ransom was paid. The Indian Mission in Nigeria was the point of contact with concerned authorities and the situation was frequently examined, according to the Foreign Ministry on NDTV news report.
The area has become a sensitive zone as pirates target cargo ships. The recent event took place less than a month after another ship was hijacked by pirates around the same area. The latter’s hijack was released after a ransom was paid six days later.
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj thanked the government of Nigeria and Benin for their support on Twitter.