Navy Arrests 14 Suspects, Impound Vessel for Illegal Fishing in A’Ibom

Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area has arrested 14 suspects and impound vessel for illegal fishing in the state.

Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Uche Aneke,  made the disclosure to journalists  yesterday, while handing  over four Ghananians and 10 Nigerians suspects, and their vessel to the Federal Department of fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, Cross River.

Aneke said  that the suspects were arrested within 5 nautical miles in Calabar Channel on Monday, November 27, for engaging in illegal trawling activities.

He said that the vessel was seized within the Calabar River Channel, where they were actively engaged in illegal trawling within the channel ,which is prohibited by the law.

“Sequel to the interception and arrest of the fishing trawler MFT LAMU 1, with registration number LA799, on Monday, November 27, for illegal trawling,” he said.

He said that 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, November 27, 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,” Aneke said.

He said 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, Mrs. Stella Auforo, fisheries officer at Federal Department of fisheries and aquaculture in Calabar, 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.