Rita Enemuru, Reporting
COMMANDER of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta), Commodore Abba Muhsin, says mariners violating maritime laws within Nigerian waters will be punished appropriately if caught.
From right, Commodore Abba Muhsin handing over the document to the Assistant Director of the Department of Fishery Benin Station, Iwanegbe America,
Commodore Muhsin, represented by Navy Capt. Solomon Paul, the Executive Officer of the NNS Delta, gave the warning during the hand over of 15 suspects and a Merchant Fishing Vessel (MVF) Lily IV to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State.
The suspects and the vessel were handed over to the representative of the Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America, on Wednesday at the Navy base jetty in Warri.
Stonix News reports that operatives of NNS DELTA arrested the 15 suspects (14 Nigerians and a Ghanaian) on crimes bordering on illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform on March 11, 2024.
The suspects
“We are sending a strong warning to all mariners who have the habit of violating maritime laws within Nigerian waters that they will be sanctioned appropriately if caught,” Commodore Muhsin warned.
He also added that the arrest of the suspects was one of the actions being taken by the Navy in keeping Nigerian waters safe and also thanked government agencies for supporting their operations.
“This is one of a series of actions in keeping the Nigerian waters safe for safe navigation and for commercial activities to thrive.
“As part of the navy’s coast guard function towards nation-building, we remain resolute in freeing our area of operations from all forms of illegalities.
“We thank all government agencies that support our operations as well as the whole of good society whose contributions to our efforts have been phenomenal. thank you and God bless,” he prayed.
The vessel
Receiving the suspects, the Assistant Director of the Department of Fishery Benin Station, Iwanegbe America, commended NNS DELTA for doing a good job by arresting the suspects.
He promised that the fishery authorities will take the investigation a step further and prosecute the suspects where found necessary.
