Swiss Massoel Shipping has reported that twelve of its workers have been kidnapped from its merchant vessel, MV Glarus, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the vessel which was carrying wheat, was said to be travelling between Lagos and Port Harcourt when it was boarded by pirates, who took 12 of the 19 crew members away.
It said the attack happened around 45 nautical miles southwest of Bonny Island.
“The company is working with the authorities and specialists to secure the speedy and safe release of those being held,” Massoel Shipping said in its statement.
The statement however did not give the nationalities of the kidnapped crew members, but the Switzerland’s foreign ministry said it had learned from the company that none of the crew members were Swiss nationals.
More so, the Nigerian Navy and maritime police have said they are not aware of the kidnapping and would investigate.
Kidnapping for ransom has been on the rise in Nigeria lately, especially in the oil rich Niger-Delta, where a number of foreigner have been kidnapped in the past by militants and released after negotiations with government or ransom must have been paid
