The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Delta, on Wednesday, handed over a merchant fishing vessel, Lily iv, together with 15 suspects to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State, for further investigation.
The suspects and the vessel were handed over to the representative of the Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America, at the Navy base jetty in Warri, Delta State.
The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin, represented by the Executive Officer of the NNS Delta, Navy Capt. Solomon Paul, released the vessel and the suspects.
In an address at the handing over, Muhsin disclosed that the vessel and the suspects were arrested on March 11, 2024, in Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to him, 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.
He said, “We are here to hand over MFV Lily IV and 15 suspects comprising 14 Nigerians and one Ghanaian.
“On 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, with the 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 March 13.
“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.”
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 stated that this was one of the series of actions by the Nigerian Navy aimed at keeping the Nigerian waters safe for better navigation and commercial activities.
The naval boss said the NNS Delta remained resolute in freeing its area of operation from all forms of illegalities, which, according to him, was part of the Navy’s Coast Guard function toward nation-building
Muhsin, however, commended government agencies and members of the society who had supported their operations to rid the maritime domain of illegalities.
Receiving the vessel and the suspects, America, an Assistant Director, Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo commended the Navy for a good job.
“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,” America said.
