Navy arrests ship for illegal operation

[MrVan]

By EVELYN USMAN

LAGOS— The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, weekend, arrested a vessel suspected to be operating illegally on the nation's territorial water around Lagos Island axis, restating its commitment to making the waterways safe for maritime transaction.

The arrest was effected about 9.30 a.m, during a patrol with NN Andoni, the newly-built ship by the Nigerian Navy.

The arrested ship, MV Andonai, was arrested while being assisted by a tuck and was consequently taken to the Naval base.

Another ship suspected to be into illegal bunkering activities was intercepted during the patrol. But the ship, according to the Commanding Officer, Commander Semiu Adepegba, explained that it  had permission to do the transaction.

Commander Adepegba explained that since the Naval vessel was commissioned two months ago, she had gone on patrol over 10 times, adding that it had helped in patrolling the waterways in no little ways.

"We have  certified NN ANDONI okay for patrol. Our main duty is to curb criminal activities on the water ways and since it was constructed , it had gone on patrol over ten times. The ship can go for a stretch of 96 hours and it has helped us maintain our presence at sea because it is good for fast patrol and it can  intercept", he stated, expressing optimism that the NN would go along way in achieving its desired goal if more  of  such ships were in place.

Also speaking during the patrol,  the command's spokesman, Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara , said the ship came as a boost to the Navy as it had assisted in the patrol of the nation's territorial waters.  Navy he said; "had passed the stage of blind patrol when officers used to monitor the waters with torch lights.".

Vanguard Nigeria