OFFICERS have been given more time to question seven men arrested after a "security incident" on board an oil tanker off the coast of the Isle of Wight.

The seven men, who are all Nigerian nationals, were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force, and will remain in custody until the evening of October 28.

Officers have 24 hours to question someone in custody before they must be charged or released. However, the courts can grant an order to extend this to a maximum of 96 hours, which is what has happened in this case.

As reported, at 10.04am on Sunday concerns were raised to police for the welfare of crew on board the Nave Andromeda.

The ship had been due to dock at Southampton Docks that morning, having sailed from Lagos in Nigeria.

Military assistance was requested, and specialist crews boarded the ship. The incident was over within seven minutes of their intervention.