Kidnappers Free Six Foreign Sailors In Niger Delta

Six foreign sailors were freed unharmed overnight by pirates who seized them off the coast of Nigeria’s oil-producing region nine days ago, police said on Tuesday.
One Russian, three Ukrainian and two Indian sailors were taken when gunmen stormed the Armada Tuah, a ship owned by Nigerian firm Century Group, 40 miles off the coast of Bayelsa State on February 17.
The pirates demanded a 200 million naira ($1.3 million) ransom last week but Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa Police Command, Kingsley Omire told Reuters no money was paid for their release.
Exxon Mobil and Shell officials said last week that security was a major factor in making Nigeria one of the most expensive oil-producing countries to operate in.
Oil and shipping companies have to hire crisis management teams, pay huge insurance premiums and possibly ransoms, as well as face possible damage to their reputations.
Six pirates armed with automatic rifles fired on a cargo ship around 30 miles off the coast of the Niger Delta on Friday, according to piracy watchdog, the International Maritime Bureau.