UPDATED 19:11 PM EST, January 22, 2013
Chairman Rowaye Jubril of Brila Energy, a petroleum distributor that owns the Panamanian-flagged ship ITRI, announced its release Tuesday in an email to The Associated Press.
Jubril said the pirates stole cargo of 5,000 tons of jet fuel, worth an estimated $5 million, while the 16 crew members were locked in the ship's dining room. He did not provide further details.
Ivory Coast officials said the vessel was seized on Jan. 16 as it was preparing to deposit its cargo at the port of Abidjan.
