New Delhi: Five Indian soldiers have been kidnapped by pirates in Nigeria ten days ago. On hearing the news reports the External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, has responded by asking the Indian High Commissioner, Abhay Thakur, to take up the matter with the government of Nigeria to ensure their immediate release.
The Minister has also asked the Indian Ambassador to Nigeria to furnish her with a report on the kidnapping.
In a tweet, Sushma Swaraj 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. Abhay – Please take this up and send me a report.”
Earlier, the wife of one of the sailors, Bhagyashree Das, had asked for Sushma Swaraj’s intervention to rescue the kidnapped sailors. The wife of the sailor tweeted that her husband was taken from the MT APECUS vessel.
Bhagyashree Das tweeted, “@SushmaSwaraj ma’am plz look into this matter. It’s been more than 10 days and yet no updates on this. We even don’t know where and how they are! We are eagerly waiting for your reply! We have faith and hope on you and IM am sure you won’t disappoint us. Plz save my husband.”
The Indian mission in Nigeria has confirmed that they are in touch with the Nigerian Navy and police for the past 10 days trying to rescue the five sailors.
