A Nigerian criminal gang has freed all 15 crew seized in a fatal attack from a Borealis Maritime boxship in the Gulf of Guinea in January.

All the officers and ratings from the 2,824-teu Mozart (built 2007) are safe following a 20-day ordeal, according to owner and lead manager Borealis and Turkish technical manager Boden Denizcilik.

The Turkish men have already been in contact with their families, the companies said on Friday.