External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday expressed her happiness following the release of 22 Indian sailors onboard an oil tanker that was hijacked by pirates in West African waters last week.

In a tweet, Sushma said: “I am happy to inform that Merchant Ship Marine Express with 22 Indian nationals on board has been released.”

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“We thank Governments of Nigeria and Benin for their help and support,” she added.

The ‘Marine Express’ oil tanker was carrying with 13,500 tonnes of gasoline and had been hijacked off the coast of Benin in north-west Africa on February 1, as per the Hong Kong-based firm which appointed the Indian sailors on the ship.

All the crew members, who endured the over four-day ordeal, are safe.

According to Director General of Shipping Malini Shankar, “The ship has been released and is back under the command of the captain” and has resumed further sailing.

It was immediately not clear if a ransom was paid to secure the release of the vessel and the cargo.

The Marine Express was at the anchorage Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea when it was taken over by pirates. All the communication systems on the vessel were switched off by pirates before making it sail.

The cargo of 13,500 tonnes of gasoline remains on board.

India remained in touch with the authorities in Nigeria and Benin for the information on the whereabouts of the oil tanker.

The External Affairs Ministry had earlier informed that the Indian mission in Abuja was in constant touch with concerned officials as the situation was being monitored.

According to Marine Traffic records, the 180-m long ship was anchored at the position on 31 January. The next day, satellite discovered the ship was missing from the anchorage point in the Gulf of Guinea.