New Delhi: Eighteen Indians kidnapped by pirates from a commercial vessel near the Nigerian coast on December 3, have been released, the Indian mission in the West African nation said on Sunday.
The Indian nationals were kidnapped from a Hong Kong-flagged vessel off the Bonny island after a group of pirates took control of it.
"NiigerianNavy @NigerianNavy and Shipping Company have confirmed release of 18 Indian nationals, taken hostage from MT Nave Constellation on 3 December. Thank all stakeholders involved in their safe release," the Indian mission in Nigeria tweeted.
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Nigerian Navy @NigerianNavy and Shipping Company have confirmed release of 18 Indian nationals, taken hostage from MT Nave Constallation on 3 December. Thank all stake holders involved in their safe release. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @shipmin_india @nimasaofficial @SecretaryEr
— India in Nigeria (@india_nigeria) December 22, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Nigerian Navy @NigerianNavy and Shipping Company have confirmed release of 18 Indian nationals, taken hostage from MT Nave Constallation on 3 December. Thank all stake holders involved in their safe release. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @shipmin_india @nimasaofficial @SecretaryEr
— India in Nigeria (@india_nigeria) December 22, 2019Nigerian Navy @NigerianNavy and Shipping Company have confirmed release of 18 Indian nationals, taken hostage from MT Nave Constallation on 3 December. Thank all stake holders involved in their safe release. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @shipmin_india @nimasaofficial @SecretaryEr
— India in Nigeria (@india_nigeria) December 22, 2019
Read also: 18 Indian crew men kidnapped in high seas off West Africa
The mission had taken up with the Nigerian government the kidnapping of the Indian crew of the vessel.
According to ARX Maritime, a global agency tracking maritime developments in the region, 19 people including 18 Indians were kidnapped from the ship on December 3 after it was taken over by the pirates.