EAGLE BULK ROWAYTON EAGLE – Boarding 200nm S Accra
1 February 2021
Increase of Militant Violence in Africa Underscores Shifting Security Landscape
1 February 2021
The national reports Six Ukrainian sailors captured by Nigerian pirates in the Gulf of Guinea on December 16, last year have been released.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, who made the disclosure in a post on Instagram on Saturday the Ukranian nationals had been held captive for a month and a half after they were abducted with two nationals of other foreign countries.
The abductees were said to be all part of the crew of the Stevia cargo vessel in which they were attacked and abducted.
“Our citizens are safe, and we are waiting for their return home as soon as possible. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats and all those who were involved in the release of our compatriots,” he said.
According to Seafarers journal, there were 15 crew members on board of the vessel before armed pirates took eight of them hostage and fled in an unknown direction.
The daughter of one of the captured sailors told Seafarers that her father was the chief mate of the vessel and was definitely among the hostages.
She then said six Ukrainians out of eight hostages were captain, chief mate, second mate, chief engineer, electro-technical officer, and wiper.
There were seven crew members left on the board.
