The merchant ship, MT LEON DIAS, that was allegedly hijacked by gunmen sympathetic to the current agitation for Biafra is currently off the Coast of Cotonou in the Benin Republic, Nigerian military sources disclosed yesterday.

They further said that the ship, a chemical/oil tanker, is currently under the custody of the Beninois Navy, according to PRNigeria.

It quoted a text from a top security source saying: “The name of the ship is MT LEON DIAS (9279927). An oil tanker, the ship is presently in Benin waters, about 7.5 nautical miles off Cotonou Port and is under the watch of the Benin Republic Navy.”

PRNigeria said it was told by the officer that “Benin Republic is in a better position to provide details on the Ship since it is not on Nigerian coastal region.”

News Express reports that the Niger Delta militants holding the ship have threatened to blow it up and kill the crew if the Nigerian Government fails to meet its demand to release detained Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu within 31 days.

•Photo shows Nnamdi Kanu acknowledging cheers during a court appearance.