Nigerian Militants Seize Tanker Crew

Spanish chemical tanker and some of the crew taken captives.



Nigeria's largest militant group has taken six members of the crew of the product tanker M/V SICHEM PEACE. Although the vessel was released under the command of the remainder of its crew, armed Nigerian militants continue to hold six members of the oil tanker's crew, including the Russian captain, hostage, the tanker's managers say. The gunmen forced six crew members to come ashore with them, according to local accounts.



After its release, the remaining 13 crew members sailed the vessel further offshore. The captured crew consisted of three Russian, two Filipinos and an Indian national. More than 200 foreign workers have been taken captive in the Niger Delta in the past three years and militant attacks on oil facilities are relatively common occurances.