Foreigners And Illegal Bunkering

The arraignment of a 15-man Russian crew from the ship, MV
Myre Diver, arrested for illegal entry into Nigeria’s territorial waters is
a welcome development, but it also proves how foreigners take advantage of our
porous borders.

For a very long
time, Nigerians have expected the authorities to track down crude oil thieves, especially
some Nigerians who connive with some foreign nationals to commit crime against
the country and expose the country to security risk.

The arrest of
the ship and the discovery of arms aboard the ship raises questions beyond
economic sabotage by foreign nationals. Coming at a time of heightened criminal
activities in the nation, Nigeria cannot afford to act as usual.

We recognize
efforts by the security agencies to deal with piracy and illegal bunkering that
have posed very serious challenges to the environment and health of the Niger
Delta in particular.

The media have
been awashed with stories of mind-boggling revelations involving Nigerians and
foreign criminals from some African, European and Asian countries caught over
illegal bunkering activities in Nigeria. Secondly, the crime appears to persist
because of the alleged involvement of some highly placed Nigerians.

In addition to
the menace of illegal bunkering and sea piracy, reports of foreigners involved
in deep sea fishing in Nigerian waters and other forms of criminal activities
have been given deaf ears. This cannot be allowed to continue.

The ease with
which the nation’s territorial waters are violated by some foreign nationals
engaged in illegal ventures create an ugly impression of inadequate policing of
our coastal borders and the connivance of security agencies in the illicit
business. The Tide fears that the invasion of foreigners into the
economic fields of Nigeria would not have been possible without the tacit cover
by some insiders.

Clearly, no
foreigner would dare approach the nation’s borders for an illegal mission
without the assurances of protection by those who should be on the watch.
Indeed, that those who are even arrested soon find their way out of custody and
go back to their respective countries as free men, compounds the issue.

In fact, there
was a time two ships seized by the authorities and docked in Lagos could not be
accounted for as the ships just disappeared like a little fly. This is the
height of corruption and internal collusion that must be brought to an end.

Certainly,
criminal activities will not abate if the perpetrators enjoy the patronage of
powerful citizens in security and political circles. The Tide believes
that if those who are saddled with the responsibility of protecting the
nation’s coastal borders are not compromised, the situation will change.

That is why we
are happy that the trial of the Russian crew has begun. Perhaps, its outcome
will bring to the lowest level the problem of illegal bunkering, especially
across the borders. We insist that everything be done to save our waterways no
matter the cost.

The Navy and
other security agencies should consider more ingenious ways of tracking down
and bringing to book any foreigner and their Nigerian collaborators involved in
illegal bunkering and other illegal businesses before things get out of hand.

This
has become rather imperative because of the need to curb the infiltration of
illegal arms into the country. Indeed, such foreign involvement opens the way
to all kinds of transaction. May God save Nigeria.