Poland requests assistance from Nigerian authorities

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Poland has disclosed that five Polish sailors and 16 people were on board the cargo ship, “Szafir”, which was hijacked by Nigerian pirates on Friday, and currently anchored around 30 sea miles - roughly 56 kilometers - off the Nigerian coast.

According to a statement signed by the Ministry's spokesman, Artur Dmochowski, and exclusively obtained by Pulse, no indication that the captives are injured.

"The kidnapped men include the captain, three officers, and one sailor.

"The remaining crew members suffered no harm and are safe. They are on the vessel, which is being taken towards the coast. The ship is approximately 30 nautical miles off the Nigerian coast. No traces have been found suggesting that the abducted crew members were injured. According to the latest reports, the kidnappers have not established contact yet", the statement said.

READ: No information on the vessel yet or the number of people kidnapped

It further stated that the Polish Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, has reached out to the Nigerian authorities, requesting support on the unfolding incident.

Dmochowski added: "Poland’s Prime Minister Beata Szydło has promptly called a meeting of all the major national services to organize help for those affected. The families of the crew members are under the care of state agencies, and have been offered comprehensive help, including psychological. Voivodeship offices remain in contact with the families.

All possible actions have been taken to assist in the safe return to Poland of our fellow countrymen. An emergency task force has been immediately set up at the MFA headquarters to coordinate further operations of state services."

However, the hijackers have not made any demand as at the time of filing this report.

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