The 12 crew members of the Swiss cargo ship ‘Glarus’, who were kidnapped off Nigeria in mid-September, were freed on 26 October, according to data provided by Swiss authorities.
The vessel was carrying wheat from Lagos to Port Harcourt, when pirates boarded it on 22 September, about 45 nautical miles south west of Bonny Island and kidnapped 12 of the 19 crew members.
However, all twelve have been freed after the ship’s operator Massoel Shipping negotiated with the pirates, and they were taken to Switzerland to be interviewed and receive psychological support, the Canton Bexternal linkasel City public prosecutor’s office informed.
Basel justice authorities have started proceedings for kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage taking.
The crew members are from the Philippines, Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia and Bosnia.
Kidnapping for ransom is a key area of concern in Nigerian waters. A total of 35 seafarers were kidnapped for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of 2018, same as during the first half of 2017, according to a paper issued by security firm EOS Risk Group.
