Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), at Ibaka in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State has busted a syndicate of sea pirates specializing in illegal maritime operations including fishing within the marital boundaries of the state with no fewer than 17 suspects apprehended and their vessel impounded.
The base’s operating officer, Commander Daniel Onyemaeze, disclosed this while handing over the suspects and the vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture on Wednesday.
He said “Navy received intelligence report on Tuesday and in the morning for illegal trawling activities within two nautical miles of Nigerian Continental Shelf and Automatic Identification System Infraction by MFV TOKE II in Calabar Channel.”
He noted that the suspects were swiftly intercepted and arrested by their gunboat on routine patrol.
He said: “As at the time of arrest, MFV TOKE II had 17 crew with 13 Nigerians and four Ghananians, onboard and was laden with 150 bags of fish, 100 packs of shrimps and 20 loosed fishes in her two cold rooms all gotten from illicit trawling activities.”
According to him, investigation revealed that the vessel departed Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Commandant jetty Kirikiri, Lagos State for fishing activities on 29th of Nov. 2023 and had spent a total of 55 days at sea as of the time of arrest by FOB, Ibaka patrol boat.
“However, during her operations it was observed through own surveillance to have engaged in illicit fishing activities and consequently arrested.
“In view of the aforementioned, the Base was directed by Naval headquarters to hand over the vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he stressed.
Onyemaeze, therefore, warned fishing vessels against engaging in fishing activities within two nautical miles of the Nigerian Continental Shelf, using the operational Automatic Identification System (AIS), the right size of fishing nets and monthly Naval headquarters approval for all fishing vessels in Nigerian waters.
Receiving the suspects and vessel, Mrs Stella Anuforo, Fisheries officer, at the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, thanked the Nigerian Navy for securing the maritime environment, assuring the department would further investigate the suspects and take necessary actions.
