Navy Cracks Down On Maritime Fraud, Arrests Shipping Agent

The Nigerian Navy has arrested a shipping agent, Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, over fraudulent deals and handed him over to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Calabar for further investigation and possible prosecution.

A statement by the Naval Spokesman Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the arrest followed a directive from naval headquarters after a complaint received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleging that a sum of N4,000 was paid to Nigerian Navy personnel to provide security for Motor Vessel CHIMBA Express, a Cameroonian-registered vessel operating within the Calabar Channel.

He said the allegation was linked to an incident on 22 December 2025 when personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY, NNS OSE and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA responded to a distress call involving a fire outbreak onboard the vessel.

According to him, the swift and coordinated response of the Nigerian Navy led to the successful rescue of the vessel and its crew.

He said subsequently, claims emerged suggesting that naval personnel received payment for security services and abandoned the vessel without refund.

However, a comprehensive investigation by the Nigerian Navy established that its personnel neither “solicited nor received any payment, nor entered into any form of security arrangement with the vessel’s owners.”

According to him, investigations further revealed that Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, an agent with PINAPAT Shipping Agency in Calabar, fraudulently collected the sum under false pretence, claiming it was meant for Nigerian Navy personnel involved in the rescue operation.

He, therefore, reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to professionalism, integrity and accountability, and will continue to take decisive action against any individual or group attempting to tarnish its image or exploit its operations for personal gain.