Six Russian sailors kidnapped off Nigerian coastOctober 17, 2012 - 21:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Six Russian sailors were kidnapped off the Nigerian coast, a French oil and gas services company said on Wednesday, Oct 17, according to RIA Novosti. An Estonian national was also kidnapped, Paris-based Bourbon SA said, when gunmen attacked a company ship in Nigeria’s southern Niger Delta on Monday. The remaining nine sailors onboard the vessel sailed away safely, the company said. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the kidnapping and said it was doing all it could to secure the sailors’ early release. “The pirates who took the senior crew members hostage, six Russians and one Estonian, evidently for ransom have escaped,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy in Nigeria are in close contact with the ship’s owner and Nigerian authorities taking all the necessary measures to secure the sailors’ immediate release and ensure their complete safety.” Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |