130 vessels detained by Navy for maritime crime

About 130 vessels have been apprehended by the Nigerian Navy between 2018 and February, 28, 2019 for crimes committed in the maritime sector.

While hosting Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, who led a delegation to the Abuja headquarters of the Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff, said the arrests were made after the recent improvement of the navy’s monitoring capability.

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Ibas who observed security to be a major problem in the maritime sector said:

“Of course, in 2018, we arrested 40 vessels and have in custody over 150 persons, who we have handed over to the various prosecuting agencies.

“For last year alone and so far this year, we have over 130 vessels that were seized or arrested for maritime crime.”

“We have received various complaints from the shipping companies, which have been forced to provide their own security to escort their vessels to the ports, especially the eastern ports. In spite of their efforts, between 2017 and 2018, there were 88 attacks in the Niger Delta,” he added.

By Todimu Ogunade…

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