An Indian is among six foreign crew members of a chemical tanker taken hostage by Nigeria's main militant group in the restive Niger Delta region.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has taken hostage Cadet Banjit Singh Dhindsa from India alongside some other crew members of chemical tanker -- 'Siehem Peace', about 20 nautical miles from Escravos, MEND said in a statement on Sunday.
The other crew members are from different countries, namely Captain Yuriy Shastim, Chief Engineer Vasvi Bondarkov and 2nd Engineer Viktor Koshevoy from Russia; Arivando Galima and Tavares Rouirgo from Philippines.
'For disregarding our warning for oil, gas and chemical tankers to keep away from the Niger Delta waters, six crew members from the chemical tanker, Siehem Peace were seized will be held until further notice,' MEND warned.
'Their arrest is meant to serve as a warning to others that there are root issues that have to be resolved with the Nigerian government before normalcy can resume,' the statement added.
According to MEND, the next tanker that they will intercept will not be this lucky as it will be set on fire after evacuating the crew.
More than 200 foreign workers have been taken captive in the restive Niger Delta since violence increased in 2006, with most released unharmed after a ransom is paid.
The region where oil exploration takes place in the country has been witnessing regular attacks from militants like MEND who claim to be fighting for resources control and redress of negative environmental aspects of oil exploration.
The militants want the federal government to devote more oil-industry funds to the southern region, which remains deeply poor despite its natural bounty.
