FWN RAPIDE

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Nigerian arrested for piracy

An 28-year-old Nigerian was arrested in South Africa on suspicion of abduction and taking hostage 11 of the 14 crew members of the "FWN Rapide" in April, when the ship was sailing from Ghana to Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The hostages were released after one month. Two other crew members were able to escape and another one hid in time. In the flag state Netherlands, a criminal investigation was immediately initiated after the abduction. This was followed by an international arrest warrant. The suspect was arrested when he was in transit in South Africa. The arrested pirate did not act alone, but it was unclear how many pirates were involved. The investigation was still ongoing.

Crew of FWN Rapide released after one month

On May 23 the Russian MFA announced that 11 kidnapped crew members of the "FWN Rapide" were released by the pirates, presumably on May 22, including the Russian master. No other details were given. The men semmed to have been released after a ransom was paid. All of them were said to be safe.

Contact established to hostages

On Apr 24 contact has been established with the crew members of the "FWN Rapide" who were taken hostage off Port Harcourt on April 21. The ForestWave company confirmed all eleven seafarers were alive and together. ForestWave continued doing everything possible to secure the earliest release of its seafarers which remained its absolute priority. The families of those being held were being informed regularly about the situation of their loved ones.