Joel Osaigbovo Aluge, Reporting
The Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, has handed over a merchant fishing vessel, Lily IV, alongside 15 suspects to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo State, for further investigation.
The Navy handed over the suspects and vessel to the representative of the Edo Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America,on Wednesday at the Navy Base Jetty in Warri.
The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin, represented by the Executive Officer of the NNS Delta, Navy Capt. Solomon Paul, released the vessel and the suspects.
During the hand over, Muhsin said the Navy arrested the vessel and suspects on March 11, 2024, in Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.
They apprehended the vessel with the suspects onboard for alleged illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.
Moreover, he said, “We are here to hand over MFV Lily IV and 15 suspects comprising 14 Nigerians and one Ghanaian.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited on March 11, 2024, contracted MV Kingston, a private maritime security company vessel belonging to the Ocean Marine Services.
As a result, the Nigerian Navy personnel onboard intercepted and arrested the merchant fishing vessel, Lily IV.
Consequently, the Forward Operation Base, Escravos took under custody the vessel for investigation on March 13.
“Preliminary investigation revealed insufficient evidence to prove that MFV Lily IV entered the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.”
The investigation further revealed two of the crew members not registered on the vessel’s manifest.”
Commodore Muhsin warned mariners to desist from violating the maritime laws within the nation’s territorial waterways.
He said “any defaulter would be sanctioned accordingly.”
Meanwhile, After receiving the vessel and the suspects, Mr America, an Assistant Director, Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo, commended the Navy for the good job.
“I am receiving the fishing vessel and the suspects from the Navy,” he stated.
For instance, “they have done a good job.”
“The Department of Fishery will take further steps and they may face prosecutions,” America concluded.