The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Delta, on Wednesday, gave a merchant fishing ship called Lily iv and 15 suspects to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State, for more inquiry.
The suspects and the ship were transferred to the Fishery Department representative, 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 ship and the suspects.
In a speech at the handing over, Muhsin revealed that the ship and the suspects were apprehended on March 11, 2024, in Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to him, the ship with the suspects onboard was detained for supposed 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 ship 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 ship’s manifest.”
Muhsin warned mariners to avoid breaking the maritime laws within the nation’s territorial waterways, emphasizing that any defaulter would be penalized 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 ship 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 ship 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.
