Hijacked ship with 22 Indians released

Kasargod: An oil tanker with 22 Indians onboard which was hijacked off the Benin Coast near West Africa on February 1 has been released.

Sree Unni (25), a native of Kasargod, was one among the 22 Indians onboard.

Sree Unni’s family has informed that they received a call from him and that he is safe and thanked the swift action by the Indian Government for ensuring the safe return of the sailors.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet thanked the governments of Nigeria and Benin for their help in releasing the Indian sailors.

“I am happy to inform that Merchant Ship Marine Express with 22 Indian nationals on board has been released. We thank (the) governments of Nigeria and Benin for their help and support,” the minister tweeted.