Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state has arrested 14 suspects and impounded a vessel for illegal fishing in the country’s territorial waters.
The Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Uche Aneke, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday while handing over the four Ghanaians and 10 Nigerians suspects and their vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, Cross River state.
He noted that the suspects were arrested within five nautical miles in Calabar Channel on Monday, Nov. 27th for engaging in illegal trawling activities.
He added that the vessel was seized within the Calabar channel, where they were actively engaged in illegal trawling within the channel, which is prohibited by the fishering laws.
“Sequel to the interception and arrest of the fishing trawler MFT LAMU 1, with registration number LA799, on Monday, Nov. 27th, for illegal trawling.
According to him, the arrest of MFT LAMU 1, took place on Monday, by 3: 45p.m within the Calabar channel, where the vessel was actively engaged in illegal trawling activities within the Calabar channel.
Aneke explained that the suspects were duly informed not to disembark from the vessel while armed sentries were assigned onboard for security.
“This incident came to light after a report from the Eastern Regional Control Center (ERCC), Calabar on Monday, Nov. 27th, indicating that MFT LAMU 1 had been involved in illegal fishing activities within 5 nautical miles offshore the Calabar channel, within FOB Ibaka’s Area of Operation,” he said.
He further stated that FOB under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), remained committed to upholding Nigeria’s maritime laws and ensuring the sustainability of our coastal waters for national development, in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s strategic directives.
Receiving the suspects, Fisheries Officer at Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar,Mrs. Stella Auforo, thanked the Nigerian Navy for securing the maritime waters.
She said the department would further investigate the suspects and take appropriate actions.
“The Federal Department of Fisheries will take further action in line with provisions of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) on Arrest Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and persons in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, 2016,” she said.
