Pirates free two Indian sailors, 4 others kidnapped off Nigerian coast

New Delhi: Six foreign sailors, including two Indians, kidnapped from an oil service ship off Nigeria were released unharmed by pirates. The sailors had been kidnapped 40 nautical miles away from Nigeria earlier in February.

Although the pirates had initially demanded a ransom of $ 1.3 million, they finally agreed to release the sailors without any payment. The pirate had kidnapped the six sailors, also including Ukrainians and Russians, after storming oil service ship Armada Tuah in southern Nigeria.

In January, five Indians kidnapped in a similar manner in December were released but no mention was made of any ransom payment. Piracy is common in Nigeria especially in the oil-rich Delta region. Attackers would go for oil-laden cargo or kidnap ship crews for ransom. Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer.

Although the pirates had initially demanded a ransom of $ 1.3 million, they finally agreed to release the sailors without any payment.

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