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Navy Hands Over Impounded Vessel To EFCC, Customs

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7 years ago

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The Nigerian Navy Command, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka on Wednesday in Akwa Ibom State handed over a vessel, NV Sword Fish 5 and 12 crew members allegedly involved in illegal bunkering of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for onward prosecution.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Reginald Adoki while handing over the vessel to the anti-graft agency disclosed that the operatives of the base also impounded one wooden boat with six suspects, ladened with 523 bags of 50kg foreign rice smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon,.
In a statement made availqble to The Tide, the operative said it also seized three 40 horsepower outboard engines, one pumping machine and 52 empty plastic drums.
Captain Adoki said, NV Sword Fish 5 along with 12 crew members were arrested along the Calabar River by a naval petrol team while committing the act
“The vessel was arrested while it was conducting illegal bunkering of substance we suspect to be automotive gas oil (AGO), diesel to another platform without due authorisation. He said
According to him, “at the time of arrest, we were able to confirm that the vessel had no approval for the transfer of the product it was conducting at the time and this violates extent regulations as regards movement of petroleum products on Nigeria’s maritime environment,” he said.
Adoki explained that the arrest of the suspected rice smugglers along Mbo River on Tuesday was based on intelligence gathering.
“We would want to reinstate the continued and unalloyed commitment of the Navy to ensure that we do our work creditably to rid our area of operations of illegal activities,” he added.
Earlier, Uyo Zonal Head, EFCC, Abdukarim Chukkoh while recieving the ship and 12 suspects from the Navy, said the action of the ship and crew members was economic sabotage and the commission is at the forefront of trying to tackle such crimes.
Also speaking, the Controller, Eastern Marine Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt, Elton Edorhe, thanked the Nigerian Navy for the synergy, saying the suspects would be duly prosecuted.
Edorhe who was represented by Assistant Controller, Ali Garko said, “I am quite happy that the Navy has been giving us tremendous support in the performance of our duty. We will not relent in taking charge of what is our responsibility.
“We have 523 bags of rice and 6 suspects, and as the law permits, we will investigate the issue, prosecute the suspects and these items will be confiscated to the Federal Government.”
Speaking on the incident the Captain of the impounded vessel, Capt. Bakpa Yerinmene denied the involvement of his ship and crew in illegal bunkering, saying that they were performing their legitimate duty when they were arrested by the Nigerian Navy on 9th November 2018.
, “I was sent to do official work by Addax Petroleum Nigeria Limited, an oil company. Addax Petroleum as a company has XPXO at Calabar offshore.
“This boat is an anchor handling vessel, platform support, moring support, that is the work assistance the vessel provides for the company, being hired by Addax Petroleum. The vessel belongs to Verta Mega Services.
“We were on the field standing by, doing our work, as we were officially sent to go to one of their batch called Agbani Production platform.
According to arrested Captain, “We went there on 9th November 2018 to go and provide this service, and when we arrived there, we alongside the batch connected the hose as instructed by the Addax Marine Superintendent that we transfer 20 tonnes of AGO.

Stories by Chinedu Wosu

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Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

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4 weeks ago

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June 29, 2026

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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

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

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4 weeks ago

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June 29, 2026

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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

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Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents 

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2 months ago

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May 18, 2026

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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.

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