The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the country’s navy have launched a search and rescue operation for the kidnapped crew of MV Glarus to ensure “they are found and released unconditionally”.

To remind, the twelve sailors were taken hostage while the bulk carrier was off Bonny Island in Rivers State on September 22.

#NIMASA COMMENCES #RESCUE MISSION OF #CREW ON BOARD HIJACKED #VESSEL https://t.co/mmPvTFw11n pic.twitter.com/p3Bjr02ssb

— NIMASA OFFICIAL (@nimasaofficial) September 24, 2018

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, the Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, stated that NIMASA is working closely with the Forward Operation Base (FOB) and the Falcon Eye of the Nigerian Navy along with other relevant security agencies.

“The issue of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is a challenge we acknowledge and we are determined to tackle it head-on. We will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant partners to ensure we bring it to a halt. Zero tolerance to piracy and all forms of illegalities on our nation’s waterways is our goal,” Peterside said.

Operated by Swiss-based Massoel Shipping, the ship, loaded with a cargo of bulk wheat, was sailing to Port Harcourt from Lagos.

At the time of the attack, a total of nineteen sailors were onboard the ship. The kidnapped crew members are from the Philippines, Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Reuters reported.