Nigerian Pirates Release Kidnapped Crew

MV Asso Ventuno

The Italian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday made the announcement that four crewmembers kidnapped from an AHTS off the coast of Nigeria in December are heading home.

According to an earlier report by the International Maritime Bureau, the four men – three Italians and a Ukranian – were kidnapped after their vessel, the Italian-registered MV Asso Ventuno, was boarded by a group of 7 armed pirates December 23 while about 40 miles (65 km) off the coast of Nigeri’s Bayelsa state.

The men are believed to be in good health, although “slightly thinner.”

“Our three seamen are free and will soon be back in Italy,” said Italy’s Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, who has been following the kidnapping closely. Terzi was expected to greet the three men upon their return “to convey to them and their families our satisfaction and relief at the positive outcome of this affair.”

No word on whether or not any ransom was paid for their release.

More on the incident can be found in gCaptain’s earlier report, HERE.

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