Navy Impounds Vessel, Arrests 14 In Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka at Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State have busted a syndicate specialising in illegal maritime businesses including fishing within the maritime boundaries of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The operatives arrested 14 suspects and impounded the vessel used for the operation.

The commanding officer of the base, Captain Uche Aneke, disclosed this to journalists yesterday when he handed the suspects and the vessel over to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the neighbouring Calabar, Cross River State.

Aneke said the suspects who included four Ghananians and their 10 Nigerian accomplices, were arrested within five nautical miles along the Calabar channel.

The naval chief said the vessel was seized within the Calabar channel, where the suspects were engaged in illegal trawling within the channel, which is prohibited by the fisheries laws.

He identified the vessel as MFT – LAMU 1, with registration number LA 799.

Aneke, who recalled that the suspects were duly informed not to disembark from the vessel while armed sentries were assigned onboard for security, said: “This incident came to light after a report from the Eastern Regional Control Center (ERCC), Calabar, indicating that MFT – LAMU 1, had been involved in illegal fishing activities within five nautical miles offshore the Calabar channel, within FOB Ibaka’s area of operation.”

He assured that the FOB under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), remained committed to upholding Nigeria’s maritime laws and ensuring the sustainability of the coastal waters for national development, in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s strategic directives.

Receiving the suspects, fisheries officer at the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, Mrs Stella Auforo, thanked the navy for securing the maritime waters.

She said the department would investigate the suspects and take appropriate actions.