EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Navy Arrests Sea Robbers, Recover Hijacked Oil Vessel

Chief Of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft of the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday paraded four sea robbers who had hijacked an oil barge, MV Crow at the Escravos area on August 14. While addressing newsmen at the Defence Jetty, Marina, the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, said the arrests were in line with the Strategic Guidance 01 of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba. 

He said, "We were alerted from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency's (NIMASA), Regional and Maritime Awareness Centre (RMAC) and we pursued the vessel to Aiyetoro in Ondo State. 

"When we circled her, there was no sign of life on board. We called and radioed severally but there was no response. Of course, our suspicion was aroused and then we fired a barrage of shots into the air. Once they heard the shots, the sea robbers came out and threw their weapons into the water.

On the relentless effort by the navy to curb sea robbery and piracy on its waters, he said the navy recently acquired four Shaldag and four Ocea boats and three mantra class boats in order to be adequately patrol the waterways.

He said, "If the acquisition of more vessels are maintained, our waters would be safer. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has listed our country as the second next to Somalia and we are working assiduously to change that perception.

"But it is pertinent to state that our challenge in the Nigeria is sea robbery as opposed to piracy which is obtained in Somalia. We have over 6000 creeks between Lagos to Calabar and it is easier for the sea robbers to attack and slip back to the creeks."

Although he claimed the operation was his first, the mastermind and head of the gang, Adekunle Adeboye, said they were deployed by their master called general.

He sent, "General had sent us from Igbokoda to go and hijack oil vessels. This  was my very first operation although I was recruited this month. The 'General' promised us money if we succeed in hijacking and emptying an oil vessel. 

Speaking on how they intercepted the vessel and took the nine-man crew hostage, another suspect, Segun Oyo said they had trailed the barge and then later overpowered them.

He said, "We trailed the barge and then used our weapons to overpower them. We did not shoot anyone rather we threatened them with the guns and weapons we had on us."

Oyo said they were able to overpower the victims who in actual sense outnumbered them because of the guns they had in their possession.

While expressing his remorse, Oyo said the first thing he would do if he secures his release would be to preach to his colleagues to desist from the life of crime as it does not pay.