BBC Caribbean Crew Released from Captivity

Embassy of Russia in Nigeria Eight Russian and Ukrainian seafarers who were kidnapped from their vessel BBC Caribbean have been released after being held in captivity for 26 days. German-based Briese Schiffahrts, the owner of the 2008-built general cargo ship, said that the seven Russian and one Ukrainian citizen were released in the evening hours of March 3, 2017. The company added that the crewmen were brought to a safe place, receiving immediate medical attention. It confirmed that all eight are in good health and on their way home. The men were abducted by a group of armed Nigerian pirates while their ship was sailing some 120 nautical miles west-southwest of Bonny Island. Featuring 6,229 dwt, the ship was attacked on February 5 while it was on its way from Duala, Cameroon to Tema, Ghana. Briese Schiffahrts did not disclose any details on whether the pirates requested a ransom for the abducted crewmen.