Abuja (PTI): The Nigerian military has recovered a chemical tanker taken hostage by the country's main militant group in the Niger Delta region and launched a manhunt to secure the release of six foreign crew members including Indian sailor Banjit Singh Dhindsa.

"Siehem Peace" — the vessel in which Mr. Dhindsa was a crew member — has been recovered by Joint Military Force (JTF) but the crew is still with the hostage takers, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), military spokesman Rabe Abubakar told PTI.

Mr. Abubakar said that JTF, established by the Nigerian government to fight the militants, is doing everything possible to secure the release of the crew.

"We're hunting for the hostages but we have to be careful. Meanwhile, we have arrested 3 suspected militants who attacked Forcados in Warri and we are asking them what they know about the present operation. They had chemicals and other weapons with them," he said.

Mr. Dhindsa was captured alongside other crew members from different countries, namely Captain Yuriy Shastim, Chief Engineer Vasvi Bondarkov and 2nd Engineer Viktor Koshevoy from Russia; Arivando Galima and Tavares Rouirgo from Philippines.

Mr. Abubakar said the conduct of the attack shows that MEND is not a responsible organisation since it had carried out the operation 20l nautical miles off Escravos waters here.

"Even a person with a boat can do harm to unsuspecting sailors but the distance notwithstanding, JTF is doing everything to secure the hostages release as it has done in the past cases," he said.

The crew of the ship was taken hostage on Sunday by MEND who through its spokesman Gbomo Jomo said that it was for disregarding warning to oil, gas and chemical tankers to keep away from the Niger Delta waters.

The region where oil exploration takes place in the country has been witnessing regular attacks from militants like MEND who claim to be fighting for resources control and redress of negative environmental aspects of oil exploration.

More than 200 foreign workers have been taken captive in the restive Niger Delta since violence increased in 2006, with most released unharmed after a ransom is paid.

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