Indonesian Defence Attaché in Abuja Frees Four Indonesian Crew Members Kidnapped by Pirates in Gabonese Waters

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) through its Defence Attaché (Athan) RI in Abuja, Nigeria, Colonel Cke Aslam Setiawan, has freed four crew members who were Indonesian nationals kidnapped by pirates. They were abducted by pirates in the Gabonese waters, Central Africa, on 11 January 2026. The TNI Public Information Center chief Brigadier General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah explained that the four Indonesian nationals were released by the pirates off the Gabonese coast. ‘The Indonesian Defence Attaché in Abuja, who joined in receiving them, reported that the release took place on Thursday, 5 March 2026 at 22:05 local time, and the four ABK arrived in Lagos, Nigeria,’ Aulia said in a Jakarta press briefing on Friday (6/3/2026). He said the release of the ABK occurred after a lengthy negotiation process with the pirates. A deal that yielded results was finalised on 3 March 2026. Aulia noted that the total number of ABK released was nine. Four of them were Indonesian nationals named Abdul Ajis, Aditia Permana, Mohamad Fardan Mubarok, and Eka Trenggana.