Six fishing boat crewmen abducted by pirates off the coast of Gabon have been released after more than a month in captivity, South Korea’s foreign ministry said Tuesday.

A South Korean in his 50s, two Senegalese, and three Indonesians were released in southern Nigeria on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.

They were transferred to the diplomatic missions of their respective nations, it said.

The six were kidnapped when two fishing trawlers were attacked, boarded, and three crew members kidnapped from each in separate incidents off the coast of Libreville, Gabon, on 3 May.

One pirate skiff holding 13 assailants was involved in both attacks, which took place on board Senegal flagged vessels, Amerger II and Amerger VII. The attacks occurred 20 nautical miles and 36 nautical miles away from shore, respectively.

According to Yonhap, the six were released after the shipping firm reportedly paid a ransom.

The South Korean remains in a secure place offered by the South Korean mission in Nigeria and should be able to return home as early as this week when a flight is arranged.

His family has also been informed of his release.

“We are fortunate that the kidnapping incident was resolved safely, especially thanks to the family who has trusted and supported the government and the shipping company with strong patience,” a ministry official said.

A total of 18 crewmen had been aboard two ships when the pirates attacked them and forced the vessels to travel further north to Corisco, an island that belongs to Equatorial Guinea. The pirates then took off on a speedboat with only the six of them while releasing the rest.