Sushma Swaraj has asked Indian Ambassador in Nigeria to to release the sailors
Five Indian sailors, posted in Nigeria, have been "abducted" by pirates, confirmed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
She has also asked Indian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abhay Thakur, to "take up the matter" with the Government of Nigeria to ensure immediate release of sailors.
She further added, "I am asking Indian High Commissioner to take this up at the highest level with Government of Nigeria for their release."
Sushma Swaraj also asked Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria to prepare a report over the incident.
According to reports, it has been over two weeks since the sailors were abducted. Their families said that they have been unable to contact them for several days.
Bhagyashree Das, wife of one of the abducted sailor Sudeep Kumar Choudhury, appealed to Sushma Swaraj on Twitter saying her husband has been kidnapped from the MT APECUS (IMO 733810) vessel.
This comes days after Indian media reported that pirates had abducted five Indian sailors last month and took their ship MT Apecus in Bonny Outer anchorage in Nigeria.
The Indian mission in Nigeria wrote back to her saying the officials are in touch with the Nigerian Navy and police for the past 10 days.
The High Commission also said that the "concerned parties" (the abductors) have made initial contact.
(With Inputs From ANI and IANS)