Nigerian security agencies have been mandated to rescue the Polish captain and four crew members abducted from a cargo ship on Friday.
The mandate was given by acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Haruna Jauro.
NIMASA spokeswoman, Hajia Lami Tumaka, confirmed this in a statement made available to Qed.ng on Saturday.
She said the attacked ship MV Szafir was recovered and 11 other crew members rescued a few miles offshore.
“The vessel MV SZAFIR operating under Cyprus flag was reportedly attacked on Friday, Nov. 27, approximately seven nautical miles East of Brass at about 01.49 hours local time.
“Registered with IMO No.9004504, the vessel, owned by Voltaire Shipping Company and operated by Euro-Africa Services Nigeria Ltd. had a total of 16 crew members, was enroute Onne Port from Antwerp.
“The vessel which has been rescued by NIMASA is currently sailing to Onne port under the Nigerian Navy escort for protection and further investigation,” the statement said.
She added that the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies have commenced a search for the abducted crew with a view to freeing them and bringing the perpetrators to book.
In Poland, Foreign Minister, Witold Waszczykowski, confirmed the ship with the 11 crew members was being safely brought to a Nigerian Navy port. He said there was no word from the abducted crew or from the kidnappers.
Earlier, Waszczykowski said the ship was damaged when pirates fired on it. Officials in Poland were expecting that a ransom demand might be made.
Polish ship owner EuroAfrica said the vessel was travelling from Belgium to Nigeria carrying metal cranes and other cargo.
