The Nigerian army said Benjamin Elan, from the 15,300–dwt SEA-tankers ship Adour(built 2003) was found in a village in Bayelsa after his captors fled as themilitary moved in.
The French tanker was attacked and boarded on 13 June off Togo.
Nigerian forces stormed the ship and freed it, but the pirates fled withElan as a hostage.
General Bata Dembiro told Reuters the other 14 crew were safe.
Elan was taken to a small village, but local youths alerted authorities tohis location.
