Maritime Safety: Navy Arrests Vessel, 9 Suspects

The Nigerian Navy, NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, has arrested an unnamed vessel and nine persons over an alleged threat to maritime safety in the state.

The Commander, Commodore Martins Fakrogha, confirmed the arrest to newsmen at Helms Jetty in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom on Tuesday.

Fakrogha said Naval operatives arrested the suspects and confiscated the vessel at about 9.30 p.m. on Sunday following reliable intelligence information.

“Upon getting the report, we swung into action immediately and apprehended the vessel. The vessel is about 70 meters long and eight meters wide.

“Inside the vessel, we discovered six tanks with a capacity of 120,000 litres each, totalling 780,000 litres capacity,” Fakrogha said.

According to him, the tanks are empty, but the vessel’s movement is a threat to the nation’s maritime safety.

There was no safety in the vessel, it is a self-propelled and nameless vessel with three inbuilt mantra-made engines.

“The Nigerian Navy has to ensure that Nigerian waterways are safe for legitimate businesses. We are committed to this duty,” he said.

Fakrogha urged boat owners and jetty managers in the state to always adhere to safety precautions.

He said the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has zero tolerance for martine crime and any waterways economic sabotage.

He commended the Joint Tasks Force for its doggedness and resilience in protecting the waterways.

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