News Content

Biafran militants seize, then release ship to spring imprisoned leader

THE Greek-flagged 9,055-dwt Leon Dias, said to be hijacked by Biafran separatists, off Nigeria has been freed, reports London's Tanker Operator.

Threats had been made that the 2003-built chemical tanker and its crew would be blown up if the government did not release a Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

But the Nigerian Government claimed that there were no Biafran activists left and that the tanker was not in Nigerian waters when attacked.

Wikipedia says Mr Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) recently set up a UK-based registered radio station, Radio Biafra, which broadcasts around the world.

Nigerian Communications Commission last November, shut down an IPOB's radio transmitter in Umuahia North, Abia State.

Wikipedia also says the leader of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Ralph Uwazuruike, who was arrested in 2005, is being detained on treason charges. MASSOB is calling for his release.

MASSOB is also championing the release of oil militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who is facing similar charges, said Wikipedia.

Five seafarers on board were reported as kidnapped and taken hostage, and also that the chief officer (first mate) was seriously wounded during the attack.

The vessel was said to have been hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea while sailing from Lome to Bata and taken towards Cotonou in Benin. AIS tracking data shows the vessel off Cotonou.

The Benin navy was subsequently thought to have taken control of the chemical tanker, which is owned Athens-based Peregrine Shipping and managed by Leon Shipping & Trading, according to Equasis.