MV Abdullah: Captain reveals details about the journey

After a long wait, 23 Bangladeshi sailors freed from Somali pirates and reached Chattogram port. People all over the country were worried about these 23 sailors of MV Abdullah. Apart from the relatives of the sailors, the chairman of the port authority, Chattogram City Mayor, senior officials of KSRM were present to welcome them.

When the lighter ship carrying the 23 sailors arrived in port, it was an unimaginable sight. The sailors' parents, wives and children were happily wiping their tears. Captain Abdur Rashid of MV Abdullah stepped on the ground first. He was surrounded by journalists. They wanted to know many things from him. At this time, the only answer to all the questions came from him that is, "I have given priority to the safety of life. That's why we have been able to reach here today after being freed from the captivity of Somali pirates. Our government has approached everyone strategically. I was also in this situation for the first time in my life. I was scared, but I kept my body language normal. I ensured that none of our crew is harmed."

Thanking the navy chief, Captain Abdur Rashid said, "I had asked the foreign navy not to indulge in violence so that none of our sailors die or damage to the ship." The first day when we were attacked by pirates, the second officer was on the bridge. I went down and gave an alarm. Everything is happening so fast. The somali pirates came in speedboats and boarded the ship and came to the bridge. At this time, the second officer and I could not go to our hidden room."

Describing the incident, Rashid said, "After the second officer was detained, I went and saw an AK-47 pointing at him. As soon as I left, they pointed an AK-47 at me. I raised my hand and surrendered saying we are Muslims, we are Bangladeshi. We shout that we are fasting. I was strong.

Referring to the death threat, Captain Abdur Rashid also said, "At that time they asked us to call everyone. Then they left us all day and all night on the bridge. Some of our crew were even crying. I was scared, but I kept my body language normal. We handle everyone, make sure that none of our crew is harmed.

Notably, after 33 days, the ship was released on the night of April 13. The ship first arrived at the Emirates port of Al-Hamriyah. After unloading the goods there, the ship loaded limestone from another port and left for Chittagong. As a result, the ship reached the waters of Bangladesh within 13 days from the Emirates.