The merchant ship, MT LEON DIAS, that was allegedly hijacked by gunmen is currently off the Coast of Cotonou in Benin Republic.
Nigerian military sources disclosed that the ship, which is a chemical/oil tanker, is currently under the custody of the Benin Republic Navy.
A text from a top security source said: “The name of the ship is MT LEON DIAS (9279927). An oil tanker, the ship is presently in Benin waters, about 7.5 nautical miles off Cotonou Port and is under the watch of the Benin Republic Navy.”
The officer told PRNigeria: “Benin Republic is in a better position to provide details on the Ship since it is not on Nigerian coastal region.”
There had been altercation between the military and members of the Independent People of Biafra and the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra over who hijacked the ship.
While the military said the ship and the crew were hijacked by those agitating for the creation of a Biafra Republic, the two groups distanced themselves from such act.
They said they are peaceful groups that would not contemplate such.
The ship was hijacked on Friday.
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