3 Kangra youths freed by Nigerian pirates

DHARAMSALA: Three youths from Kangra district — Sushil Kumar (37) of Nagrota Surian, who had been working in Merchant Navy for the last 13 years and was the captain of a merchant ship, Pankaj Kumar from Samloti village and Ajay Kumar from Palampur— who were kidnapped by Nigerian pirates, have been released.

Sushil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Kumar, who had been kidnapped in Nigeria.

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, April 11

Three youths from Kangra district — Sushil Kumar (37) of Nagrota Surian, who had been working in Merchant Navy for the last 13 years and was the captain of a merchant ship, Pankaj Kumar from Samloti village and Ajay Kumar from Palampur— who were kidnapped by Nigerian pirates, have been released.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur tweeted on Wednesday, “I am highly grateful to honourable Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj for her tireless efforts in securing the release of three Himachalis who were kidnapped in Nigeria. A big thanks from the people of Himachal,” tweeted the Chief Minister.

Raghuvir Singh, father of Sushil Kumar, when contacted on phone, said that he got a phone call from his local MLA Hoshiar Singh that his son has been released by the Nigerian pirates. Later, the BJP MP from Kangra, Shanta Kumar, also talked to Raghuvir Singh and informed him about the release of his son.

“I am grateful to all the leaders of the state who have helped in securing the release of my son. We have been informed that my son would reach India in the next two to three days”, he said.

Three sailors of Himachal, who were kidnapped by the Nigerian pirates, were currently working with Max Marine Services in Cortnou Benin since November 26 last. The ship was owned by Nesto. The pirates made calls to the families of the kidnapped youth time and again demanding ransom of Rs 5 lakh per head.

Raghubir Singh said it was on March 12 that the family had received a call from Nigeria. Speaking to the family, Sushil informed them that some Nigerian sea pirates had hijacked his ship and kidnapped three Indian crew members, including him.

He said after this call the family contacted the ship owner Nesto and talked to him about the latest situation. Nesto informed them that he was trying to negotiate with the pirates and he was ready to give the ransom money to get the three released from their clutches. The family had alleged that Nesto was misleading them.

The families had approached the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office through the state government and Shanta Kumar.

CM shares Sushma’s message on Twitter

We have secured the release of three Indian nationals, Sushil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Kumar, all from Himachal Pradesh, who were abducted in Nigeria. I appreciate the efforts of BN Reddy, Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria