The Nigerian Navy said Wednesday that the three foreign sailors kidnapped by pirates in the oil-rich south of Nigeria last week have been rescued.

The three comprising two Russians and one Indian were saved in an operation late Tuesday by a navy team in the southwestern coastal State of Ondo, spokesperson Suleman Dahun confrmed.

“The rescue happened yesterday around 11pm,” he said, adding that one of the hijackers had been arrested.

Separately, security sources said several pirates had been killed and operations were underway to seize the others.

Recall that, last Thursday, suspected pirates killed four Nigerian navy operatives and abducted three foreign sailors in an attack on a dredging ship last week, security sources said Monday.

Armed assailants raided the oil dredger MV Ambika as it worked in the volatile waterways of the Niger Delta late on Thursday, an intelligence officer told.
"During the incident, a team of naval rescue squad was sent for rescue, however, the hoodlums succeeded in killing four of the naval personnel of the squad during a gun battle," the source said.
"Before the arrival of the naval rescue team, the hoodlums had gained access into the vessel and abducted two Russians and one Indian who were part of the eight crew members on board the vessel."
A naval officer stationed nearby confirmed the incident and said the coffins of the slain sailors had been brought ashore.