Update: M/V Stevia kidnapping
Crew of Cameroonian-flagged cargo ship kidnapped six weeks ago, have been released.
The largely Ukrainian crew of the Albanian-flagged, M/V Stevia, have been released, reports Unian. According to Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, six Ukrainian nationals were released on Saturday.
In a statement on Instagram, President Zelensky said: “Our citizens are safe, and we are waiting for their return home as soon as possible. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats and all those who were involved in the release of our compatriots.”
The Stevia was en route from Port Harcourt, Nigeria to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, when Nigerian pirates took eight crew hostage, six Ukrainian and two Albanian. Reports do not make explicit whether the two Albanian crew were also set free, but the photo released on President Zelensky’s official Instagram account does show what appears to be eight crew members.
