Ogheneruona Tejiri, Warri
Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta has handed over 15 suspects alonside a Merchant Fishing Vessel (MVF) Lily IV to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture for
further investigation.
The suspects and the vessel were handed over to the representative of the Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at the Navy Base Jetty in Warri.
The vessel and the suspects were released by Navy Capt. Solomon Paul, Executive Officer(E.O) NNS Delta on behalf of the Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin.
Speaking to journalists, Commodore Muhsin said that the vessel and the suspects were arrested on Monday, March 11, 2024 in Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.
He said that the vessel with the suspects onboard was apprehended for alleged illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.
Accordng to Commodore Muhsin, “we are here to hand over MFV Lily IV and 15 suspects comprising 14 Nigerians and one Ghanaian.
“On Monday, March 11, 2024, MV Kingston, a private maritime security company vessel belonging to the Ocean Marine Services (OMS) contracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria Limited wiith Nigerian Navy personnel onboard intercepted and arrested a Merchant Fishing Vessel, Lily IV. The vessel was consequently taken under custody by the Forward Operation Base (FOB), Escravos for investigation on Wednesday, March 13.
“While the preliminary investigation revealed that there was insufficient evidence to prove that MFV Lily IV entered the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.
“The investigation revealed that two of the crew members were not registered on the vessel’s manifest.”
Commodore Muhsin warned mariners to desist from violating the maritime laws within the nation’s territorial waterways, stressing that any defaulter would be sanctioned accordingly.
He said that this was one of the series of actions by the Nigerian Navy aimed at keeping the Nigeria waters safe for better navigation and commercial activities.
The naval boss said that NNS Delta remained resolute in freeing it’s Area of Operation from all forms of illegalities which according to him was part of the ‘Navy’s coast guard function toward nation building.
Commodore Muhsin expressed his appreciation to all the government agencies and good spirited members of the society who had supported their operations to rid the maritime domain of illegalities.
Receiving the vessel and the suspects, Mr America, an Assistant Director, Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State commended the Navy for the good job.
Accordng to Mr. America, “I am receiving the vessel and the suspects from the Navy. They have done a good job. The Department of Fishery will take further steps and they may face prosecutions.”
