Navy Arrests Russian Ship, 15-Man Crew,
Recover 8,598 Ammunitions
Chiemelie
Ezeobi
The Nigeria Navy (NN) has arrested a 15-man crew
Russian ship, Merchant Vessel (MV) Myre Sea Diver, Avatiu, in the country's territorial waters and
recovered about 8,598 ammunitions and different rifles.
Although 14 AK47 rifles with 3, 643 ammunitions and
22 Benelli MRI 20 barrel rifles with 4, 955 ammunitions were discovered on
board the ship, THISDAY gathered that there could be more as investigations are
yet to be concluded.
The ship, a Det Norske Veritas (DNV) marked E5U2529
was arrested by Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft patrol boats at the Lagos
stead and is parked at the ship's harbour at the Western Naval Command (WNC),
Apapa.
Owned by the Moran group, THISDAY gathered that the
arrested ship which is flying a Dutch Island flag was sighted in Lagos on
Friday, October 20, 2012.
Information obtained from the ship's website
indicated that its operation has been suspended following the arrest.
Confirming the arrest yesterday, the Flag Officer
Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, said the vessel entered the
Lagos stead without appropriate notifications from the naval authorities.
He said, "Part of our responsibilities in Lagos
area is to create a very conducive maritime space for legitimate maritime
businesses to thrive.
"Therefore, anytime we see something that is
infringing on such an opportunity, we try to see how best we can address
it."
Ikioda added, "The said ship came into our
waters without due notifications and on further search it was discovered that
it has weapons and ammunitions on board which is an infringement of the laws of
this country.
"We are still trying to ascertain the number of
weapons that are on board but so far, we discovered 14 AK47 and 22 Benelli
rifles with 3,643 and 4, 955 ammunitions respectively."
He however said investigations are ongoing.
With its DNV number 04795, the Russian ship was
built in 1965 and operates at a speed of 7.5\6.4 knots.
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