A SPANISH patrol boat rescued a Nigerian merchant ship which had been kidnapped by pirates in the Guinean Gulf, reports the ministry of defence.
The P-71 Serviola is based on the west African coast and was carrying out security operations on Tuesday when its crew located the ship, which was navigating 'erratically' and without transmitting via the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Spanish Naval officials radioed the ship's crew, who confirmed they had been hijacked four days ago.
The pirates had shifted away when they saw the Spanish Navy craft, although it was likely they would return once the coast was clear.
According to the Nigerian captain, nobody on board the merchant ship had been harmed during the four days they had been under siege.
The Serviola remained present long enough for the vessel to leave the Guinean Gulf and continue on its course, out of the reach of the pirates.
Photograph: Estado Mayor de Defensa (Ministry of Defence) on Facebook
