Maritime security: Navy hands over 15 suspects, fishing vessel to fishery department for further probe

The Nigerian Naval Ship, NNS Delta, on Wednesday handed over 15 suspects and a Merchant Fishing Vessel, MVF Lily IV, to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State.

The handover ceremony was at the Naval base Jetty in Warri, and Mr. Iwanegbe America representing the Fishery Department received the suspects and the vessel.

Capt. Solomon Paul, the Executive Officer of NNS Delta, acted on behalf of Commodore Abba Muhsin, the Commander of NNS Delta, in releasing both the suspects and the vessel to the Fishery Department. Commodore Muhsin, addressed the press, revealing that the vessel and suspects were apprehended on March 11 in Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The handover marks a crucial step in the ongoing investigation into the activities surrounding the apprehension, underscoring the collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Navy and relevant government agencies in maintaining maritime security and enforcing laws within Nigerian waters.

According to him, the vessel with the suspects on board was arrested for alleged illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.

“We are here to hand over MFV Lily IV and 15 suspects comprising 14 Nigerians and one Ghanaian.

“With the Nigerian Navy personnel on board, we intercepted and arrested a Merchant Fishing Vessel, Lily IV.

“The vessel was consequently taken under custody by the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos for investigation on March 13.

“The investigation revealed that two of the crew members were not registered on the vessel’s manifest,” he said.