Nigerian Navy charged to tackle piracy

The Nigerian Navy have been charged to tackle the problems of sea pirates attacking fishing trawlers at sea and preventing the continuous exploitation of the country’s economic resources for the benefit of all.  The Assistant Director of Fisheries at the Federal Department of Fisheries, Mrs. S.A. Kupolati who gave the charge lamented the inability of fishing trawlers from exploiting the sea due to the continuous harassment of sea pirates which sometimes lead to loss of lives.

She spoke while taking over an arrest fishing trawler, caught by operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft for illegally fishing within the country’s territorial waters.

Mrs. Kupolati said the arrested vessel would be investigated further and the owners prosecuted if found culpable, adding that with the taking over, the vessel would be moved to the jetty of the fishing company where the products would discharged and stored until further directive from “Abuja.”

She said that the vessel would also be grounded until investigations are concluded, adding that there is need for the Nigerian Navy and Federal Department of Fisheries to work together to ensure that both work for the greater good of the country.

The vessel which was identified as  FT SILVER STREAK was handed over  to the Federal Department of Fisheries for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe said while handing over the vessel that the vessel was arrested on January 27, 2014 with 253 bags of fish and this the Nigerian Navy said contravenes the law of the country on fishing within Nigeria’s  territorial waters.

He said that the Nigerian Navy will do all within its powers to ensure that issue of piracy within the country’s territorial waters is addressed; adding that some of the steps the force had taken in recent past is to increase presence at sea.

The Western Naval Command had recently explained that in an effort to get rid of all forms of illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime domain, it has arrested 3 vessels found to be engaging in illegal activities in the Command’s Area of Responsibility.

 One of the arrested vessels includes; FT SILVER STREAK which was arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ANDONI for illegal fishing, adding that, if the vessels and its crew members are found culpable, they will be handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries for further investigation and prosecution.

Similarly, two other vessels, MT OMAT and MT ORTAKOY-1 were arrested on the allegation of suspicious oil deal. MT OMAT was allegedly carrying 100MT of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) without having the required operating approvals. Similarly MT ORTAKOY-1 was also allegedly carrying 200MT of AGO without approval. The ship was also caught operating with expired NIMASA Registration License, which is considered to be serious,an offence in the maritime sector. Investigations on the two vessels are still ongoing, after which they will be handed over to the appropriate Government Agencies for prosecution.