(SomaliNet) A day after hijacking it in the restive Niger Delta, gunmen in Nigeria have released a cargo ship and its crew, a senior Nigerian military official said on Tuesday. According to reports, the attackers intercepted the MV Thou Galaxy on Sunday as it sailed for Warri in Delta state, seizing at least 10 people on board including the captain. "The vessel was released yesterday with its cargo and all the crew members," said Brigadier-General Wuyep Rimtip, head of the military taskforce in the western Niger Delta. "I'm not aware that any ransom was paid before their release and I don't expect the state government to pay any ransom for their release."
A military spokesman on Monday said he believed gunmen loyal to rebel leader Tom Polo were behind the attack. Insecurity in the Niger Delta, home to Nigeria's oil sector, has slashed a fifth of the OPEC member's oil production since early 2006.-