Greek oil tanker hijacked near Nigeria released: police

Radio Netherlands

18 July 2011

Greek oil tanker hijacked near Nigeria released: police

A Greek oil tanker hijacked by gunmen off the coast of Nigeria at the weekend has been released along with its 20-strong crew, the Greek coastguard told AFP Monday.

The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Aegean Star owned by Endeavour Marine Agency was returning to the Ghanaian port of Tema, a coastguard officer said.

"The crew are in good health," the officer said.

He added that the owners had handled the negotiations and could not give information on whether a ransom had been paid.