Maritime

LG Boss Wants Navy To Tackle Piracy On Bonny Waterways

Published

7 years ago

August 30, 2019

The Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha has appealed to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the area to step up the fight against sea piracy and other acts of criminality on the Bonny waterways.
Irimagha gave this charge at a one-day sensitisation lecture organised by the Nigerian Navy in the locality with the theme “Illegal Oil Refining (“Kpo-Fire”): Issues, Challenges and Way Forward”.
In a statement made available to The Tide on Wednesday by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Chairman, Williams Ogbah-Agwu, the chairman called for inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing among the security agencies in the area to enhance their capacity to nip emerging security challenges in the bud.
The Chairman who was represented by his Vice, Anengi Barasua lauded the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, Navy Capt. Kola Oguntuga, for conceptualising such sensitisation programme, noting that it creates the necessary awareness and co-operation from the people of the area.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief Dagogo Claude-Wilcox described the event as “a very important day for Bonny Kingdom as this marks the beginning of a new dawn for the community”.
He said that the sensitisation programme was “of monumental importance as it would enlighten us on the hazards of illegal oil refining,”
“This devil in our community called ‘kpo fire’ will be eradicated for the betterment of us all”.
Earlier, Navy Capt. Oguntuga while welcoming the participants had said that the sensitisation programme was aimed at creating the right awareness about issues affecting the security situation in the area.
He said the event was to enhance the synergy between the Nigerian Navy and the civilian populace in the area in its efforts at addressing security challenges.
In his keynote address, Professor of Animal and Environmental Biology/Benthic Ecology, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Ibitoru Hart warned that illegal or artisanal refining of crude oil across the Niger Delta region was destructive to the environment as it poses a threat to aquatic and wild life in the region.
He blamed the debilitating incidents of soot across Rivers State on illegal refining.
“Soot that falls on water is oil that prevents oxygen from dissolving into the water thus endangering the fishes and other animals in the water, including plants and other sea organisms”, he said.

Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

Published

17 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

The suspects were discovered aboard a merchant vessel, MT Chinafrie Happiness, in an attempted illegal voyage out of the country.

This was contained in a statement issued by Sub Lieutenant A.O. Ajayi, Naval Assistant to the Commander, NNS Beecroft.

The statement said the Handover is part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime security, curbing illegal migration, and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to the statement, the suspects were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

The five suspects were safely evacuated by Naval Personnel’s and taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation, profiling, and documentation before being transferred to immigration authorities for further action.

The statement gave their identity as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).

Preliminary findings indicated that the individuals allegedly boarded the vessel while it was docked at Tin Can Island Port with the intention of stowing away to India without valid travel documentation or authorisation.

The statement also noted that stowaway attempts pose significant risks to human life and maritime safety, as individuals often hide in hazardous compartments of vessels under extreme conditions that could lead to injury or death.

The Naval statement warned that illegal boarding of ships remains a serious maritime security challenge and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous and unlawful acts.

The statement reaffirmed the commitment of NNS Beecroft to sustained maritime security operations in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, aimed at maintaining a professional and effective naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations for national security.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

Navy Nabs 13 Black Sand Miners In Bayelsa –Impound Two Boats

Published

17 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has arrested Thirteen 13 Black Sand miners in Bayelsa state

The Service also impounded two Wooden Boats used for the illegal operations

Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Abuja.

Folorunsho said with the operation, the Navy had recorded another operational success in its efforts to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources

According to Folorunsho the operation was conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, following credible intelligence on the movement of boats suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities.

He said the intelligence revealed the boats were operating within the coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area.

“Acting on the intelligence, Naval personnel intercepted the boats at Lekeson and Liama communities, where large quantities of suspected illegally mined black sand were discovered onboard.

“A total of 13 crew members were arrested in connection with the activity,” he said.

The Naval Director of information said that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and preventing the illegal exploitation of natural resources that undermine economic development and environmental sustainability.

“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining operations against illegal resource extraction and other maritime crimes, while maintaining security and stability within the nation’s waterways,” he said.

Folorunsho also said that the two wooden boats recovered, the black sand and the 13 suspects have subsequently been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Nembe Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said this was done in line with the extant procedures and directives of the Bayelsa Government.

The Naval spokesperson reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime resources.

Folorunsho assured that it would also ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.

CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents

Published

1 month ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held its 7th Retreat Medical Outreach in Daura, Katsina State,

Customs said the Free medical outreach is aimed at providing free healthcare services to residents of the area.

Speaking during the event, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Ahmad Tijjani-Abe, said the programme would provide general medical consultations, dental care, eye and ear care, as well as minor surgical operations for beneficiaries.

Tijjani-Abe said medical teams deployed for the exercise would also provide free medications to patients attending the outreach.

He added that the service would visit schools within the area to deworm students and distribute health kits and mosquito nets to help prevent malaria among children.

Also Speaking, Dr Ethelbert Ikechukwu, Medical Team Leader of the outreach said the exercise was part of the initiative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which had been carried out in different parts of the country over the years.

According to him, the programme is designed to support communities where customs personnel operate by offering free medical consultations and medications to residents.

Ikechukwu further explained that patients whose conditions could not be fully managed at the outreach centre would be referred to appropriate medical facilities for further treatment.

Ikechukwu urged members of the public to take advantage of the exercise, noting that the medical teams comprised highly qualified healthcare professionals.

The outreach targets about 2,000 patients across various areas of medical care.