Five Indian sailors kidnapped in Nigeria released: Minister

New Delhi, Dec 24 Five Indian sailors kidnapped by pirates in Nigeria earlier this month have been released, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Thursday.

"We have secured the release of five Indian sailors from pirates in Nigeria," Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

The five sailors were kidnapped on December 11 in Warri, Nigeria.

On December 18, the minister said India's High Commissioner to Nigeria A.R. Ghanashyam met Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter and that the sailors were safe.

"I appreciate the good work done by our High Commissioner Ghanashyam," Sushma Swaraj said in another tweet.

She thanked President Buhari for securing the release of the captive sailors.