2010-03-31
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - Pirates freed a captain and crew member of a Ghanaian vessel in Nigerian waters on Wednesday, three days after they seized it off the coast of Cameroon, a Nigerian navy spokesman said.

Attackers hijacked the boat carrying goods from Ghana to Cameroon and Nigeria on Sunday and demanded a $1.5 million ransom for the release of the two hostages.

"Our men found the vessel abandoned at a place in Abana and we towed it to Calabar," said Nigerian Navy spokesman Commodore David Nabaida. "Now the men and the vessel are in Calabar."

He said it was unclear whether a ransom was paid for the release of the two, who were not injured in the attack in the Bakassi peninsula. No group has claimed responsibility.

The Bakassi peninsula, which has the potential to become a source of oil and gas, is home to several armed groups which operate in the Gulf of Guinea.