Navy Raids Sea Pirates’ Camp, Recovers Weapons

Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH at Naval Base, Yenagoa, in Bayelsa State has raided a suspected sea pirates’ hideout and recovered weapons.

The director of information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan said the raid is part of efforts to confiscate illegal weapons before, during and after the off cycle gubernatorial election.

The raid was carried out on Friday last week at 2am.

He said the base acting on credible information, swiftly deployed her anti-sea robbery patrol team from one of its Naval Security Stations (NSS 030) which is at Foropa community in southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State.

However, on sighting the Nigerian Navy Patrol team gunboats the suspected sea robbers fled into the bushes.

The team exploited the general area in Southern Ijaw and recovered one general purpose machine gun (GPMG) with 100 links, two AK 47 rifles, one locally made long gun, two tavor magazines, 11 rounds of 7.62 (NATO), two Cartridge rounds of pump action gun.

Other recovered items include; two 200HP Yamaha engine, five Baofeng Radio, Small Techno Android phone, one GPS phone and three small Techno phone as well as assorted camouflage uniforms.

The team subsequently deactivated the camp to deny the criminals any shelter within the vicinity.

The Nigerian Navy hierarchy commended the efforts of NNS SOROH, their resilience and dedication to duty which led to the success of the raid operation.

He restated that the Nigerian Navy under the able leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff,  Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla  will continue to conduct such sting operations to resist and arrest criminals desperate to undermine the democratic process, disrupt public peace or breach the hard earned Maritime Security during and after the off cycle election period.

“The Service will continue to cooperate with stakeholders to achieve a peaceful Maritime environment critical for legitimate business by law abiding citizens towards the national economic development and prosperity,” he said.