“Our three crew members are free and will soon be back in Italy”. This was how Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi broke the news of the release of the three Italians kidnapped on 23 December 2012 off the coast of Nigeria as their tugboat, the Asso21, headed for Port Harcourt.
“This was a success for the men and women of the Farnesina and all the officials of the state structures involved. Their tenacity and professionalism made the positive outcome of this difficult affair possible”, continued Terzi.
“I also wish to thank the Nigerian authorities, who have collaborated fully with us in the last few weeks”, added Terzi. The Minister had been in constant touch with his Nigerian colleague on the case.
The Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Unit has already informed the seamen’s families and the shipping company.
Thirty Italian nationals kidnapped abroad have been brought home in recent months.