The captain of a Laskaridis reefer is among those taken hostage by Nigerian pirates.

The 335,938-cbf Saronic Breeze (built 1991) was hijacked last week off Benin, before being taken to Nigeria and then released after the master, a second mechanic and a cook were abducted by the gunmen.

All three are Russians, according to the Russian embassy in Lagos.

Embassy spokesman Artyom Romanov told the Tass news agency: "The parties concerned are exerting all necessary efforts for their quick release."

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