New Delhi:
Five Indian sailors have been abducted by pirates in Nigeria and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked the Indian high commissioner there to take up the matter at the highest levels of the Nigerian government to ensure their release. She also asked Indian ambassador in Nigeria Abhay Thakur to send her a report on the matter.
"I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria. I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release," Swaraj tweeted. "Abhay -- Please take this up and send me a report," she said.
I have seen news reports about abduction of five Indian sailors by pirates in Nigeria. I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release.
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 7, 2019
Abhay - Please take this up and send me a report. @india_nigeria
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According to reports, it has been over two weeks since the sailors were abducted. Their families said that they have been unable to contact them for several days.
Bhagyashree Das, wife of one of the abducted sailor Sudeep Kumar Choudhury, appealed to Sushma Swaraj on Twitter saying her husband has been kidnapped from the MT APECUS (IMO 733810) vessel.
This comes days after Indian media reported that pirates had abducted five Indian sailors last month and took their ship MT Apecus in Bonny Outer anchorage in Nigeria.
The Indian mission in Nigeria wrote back to her saying the officials are in touch with the Nigerian Navy and police for the past 10 days.
The High Commission also said that the "concerned parties" (the abductors) have made initial contact.
