The Russian government has called for the immediate release of the 15 sailors arrested by the Nigerian Navy for allegedly smuggling arms into the country.
The Russian Foreign Ministry through a statement Wednesday said the sailors were facing a court case initiated and accused the Nigerian government of failing to return the Russians before the New Year as agreed.
According to the statement, the Russian Sailors ought to have been released with no additional conditions or further delays.
The Nigerian Navy had on October 23, 2012 intercepted a ship and arrested its Russian crew after 14 AK-47 riffles guns and ammunition were found on board.
The sailors, who had been kept in navy custody since their arrest in October, were handed over to the Nigerian Police on Monday January 7th.
The Western Naval Command confirmed that the Russians were handed over to the Police for further investigations while the Vessel and weapons are still in the custody of the Navy.