Nigerian Navy Activity in 2019; Includes Discovery of Two Shipyards Used By Pirates

December 23: During a ceremony at sunset, a symbolic closure of official activities of the Nigerian Navy for the year 2019, a spokesman for the Nigerian Navy noted that during the year, his men had arrested 146 suspects in connection with illegal oil bunkering. Furthermore, heads of sister agencies and representatives of host communities disclosed that 214 illegal refineries as well as 454 boats used in carrying out illegal activities by the suspects were destroyed by the navy.

“Specifically, the command has destroyed 214 illegal refineries in Delta and Bayelsa states. Furthermore, 454 wooden and speeds boats that were involved in illegalities have been impounded and handed over to the relevant agencies. Similarly, intensive patrol embarked upon by the command led to the arrest of seven sea-going vessels and 146 suspects.

“Additionally, 20 persons were prosecuted in the court of law and awarded sentences ranging from fines and forfeitures. The highpoint of the command’s anti-maritime crime operation was the discovery of two construction yards for wooden boats which had 68 large boats under construction and the discovery of six kidnappers’ camps within Area of Responsibility (AOR) which were all destroyed,” a spokesman said.

Meanwhile, 24 suspects have been arrested and 1,831 bags of smuggled rice seized by the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base in Akwa Ibom State. Speaking yesterday in Ibaka, a spokesman noted that five wooden boats used by the suspects in smuggling the 50kg bags of rice from the Republic of Cameroon had been impounded. He said the arrests were made in four different operations by naval officers and men on routine patrol on the sea.

Source: The Day / Emmanuel Addeh & Okon Bassey via All Africa