Abuja - The Indonesian Military (TNI) on Friday, 6 March 2026 confirmed that four Indonesia nationals had been released after kidnapped by pirates in Gabon's waters on 11 January.
The four individuals were among nine crew of Gabon's flag fishing vessel IB Fish 7 who were abducted by armed pirates near Ekwata, Gabon. The pirates left the vessel with three other crew, including to Indonesians.
The fishing vessel was escorted to Gabon's capital city od Libreville by Gabonese Navy assisted by French Navy.
Indonesia's Defense Attache in Abuja Col. Aslam Setiawan said after tough negotiations, the deal was reached on 3 March and nine crew of IB Fish 7, four Indonesians and five Chineses, were released by the pirates on 5 March.
The four Indonesians, Abdul Ajis, Aditia Permana, Mohamad Fardan Mubarok, dan Eka Trenggana then were flown to Logos, Nigeria where their health condition will be checked.
"Indonesia's Defense Attache in Abuja picked them and said that the release was taken place on Thursday, 5 March 2026 at 10.05pm local time and the four (Indonesian) crew have arrived in Lagos, Nigeria on Friday, 6 March 2026," the TNI said in a written statement.
Indonesian Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria also oversees Gabon and some other countries in Central Africa and West Africa regions.
The release of nine crew of IB Fish 7 fishing vessel is a success of joint coordination and cooperation among Indonesian Embassy in Abuja, Indonesian Defense Attache in Abuja, Chinese Embassy in Gabon, and the leader of Chinese Community in Lagos.***
