NEW DELHI: Kochi native Sanu Jose, the chief officer of a ship who is among the 16 Indians arrested by the navy of Equatorial Guinea for allegedly violating the maritime boundary, was brought back to the ship. Sanu Jose told a media that they are being held illegally in Guinea and the government should intervene urgently to bring them home.

Sanu also stated that due to India's intervention, they were not taken to Nigeria. 16 Indians, including three Malayalis, are on board the 'MT Heroic Idun'. Apart from Sanu Jose, the navigating officer Vijith from Kollam and Milton from Kochi are the other Malayalees in the group.

The ship is now controlled by the Equatorial Guinea military. The vice president of Equatorial Guinea had earlier announced that the ship would be handed over to Nigeria. Meanwhile, fifteen Indians on board have been imprisoned at a hotel.