Turkey works to rescue crew of ship attacked in Nigeria

Captain Sinan Taskiran and second engineer Salim Attila Sengul of the "Marshallese-flagged" Turkish ship Aleyna Mercan were taken hostage after the ship was attacked by a group of pirates off the Nigerian port of Onne on April 20.

"Piracy has become a problem for the entire world in the recent years. Pirates, making use of the lack of authority in some countries, attack and seize ships. They later demand ransom from the insurance companies," Yildirim said.

Yildirim said they spoke to executives of the company about the incident and diplomatic initiatives have been launched by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Maritime Undersecretariat in Nigeria for release of the Turkish citizens.

Meanwhile, the company which owns the vessel sent a new captain and engineer to Nigeria to sail the ship into safer waters.