MV CHARIS, a tugboat was arrested on May 7 following suspicion that it was used by pirates to attack a Spanish vessel MV Blue MARLIN off the coast of Malabo on May 5.

She was released on May 22, following the intervention of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea Toko Ali Gongulong and Defence Attache Navy Captain Olaseyi Oladipo.

The vessel, which arrived Onne Ports in Rivers State on Saturday, had suffered pirates’ attack same day as the Spanish ship but the former was detained for 15 days despite making a distress call and providing documents to show they were on legitimate business.

“When the pirates attacked, the Captain of MV CHARIS immediately sent a distress call. In response to the call, a Spanish Navy team arrived the vicinity and boarded the BLUE MARLIN.

“However the pirates escaped. MV CHARIS was also boarded and escorted to Malabo by Equatorial Guinea Navy.

“On arrival at Malabo, while BLUE MARLIN was taken for repairs and the crew well administered, MV CHARIS was under tight security and its crew detained at the police cell at Malabo.

“The crew had been mistaken for the pirates that attacked MV BLUE MARLIN. The release was facilitated by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea Toko Ali Gongulong, assisted by the Defence Attache, Navy Captain Seyi Oladipo, the Consular Officer along with NIMASA officials,” said a source.