Norwegian company EMS Ship Management said on Wednesday that all six abducted members of its chemical/oil tanker Sichem Peace were safely released after spending 18 days in captivity in the Niger delta.
The Sichem Peace was attacked on July 4 "by an armed criminal gang some 18 miles off Escravos, Nigeria, where the six seafarers were abducted", said EMS Ship Management, which is part of Norway's Eitzen Maritime shipping group.
"The seafarers who were released today will proceed to Lagos where they will receive full medical checks before flying back to their respective countries and homes," the company said in a statement.
Following the attack, the vessel flying the Singapore flag moved to a safe position away from the coast and resumed commercial operations, EMS said.
"EMS Ship Management wishes to thank all the government bodies and agencies in Nigeria, and in Singapore for helping to secure the release of our much valued seafarers," it said.