Three Indian nationals hailing from Himachal Pradesh who were kidnapped in Nigeria have been released, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday.
“We have secured the release of Sushil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Kumar who were abducted in Nigeria,” Sushma Swaraj tweeted.
We have secured the release of three Indian nationals Sushil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Kumar – all from Himachal Pradesh who were abducted in Nigeria. I appreciate the efforts of Shri B.N.Reddy Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria. @jairamthakurbjp pic.twitter.com/hDZVqWSKRi
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 11, 2018
She also appreciated the efforts of Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria B.N. Reddy in this regard.
According to a media report, the family of one of those kidnapped, Sushil Kumar, last received a satellite phone call from him on March 12 when he said that Nigerian pirates hijacked his ship which also had two other Indian crew members on board.
All three worked in the merchant navy and hailed from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh.