Business
Navy Arrests 30 Vessels For Illegal Activities
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has said that no fewer than 30 vessels were seized by the Nigerian Navy in 2018 for various maritime crimes on the waterways
Vice Admiral Ibas, who spoke through the Naval Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe-Enwo at a symposium organised as part of an ongoing joint sea exercise tagged ‘OBANGAME Express’, said the number of vessels arrested in 2018 was lower than the 37 and 45 arrests recorded in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
He noted that, “within the past three years, over 80 errant vessels have been arrested for various acts of illegality”
In a statement made available to The Tide, Ibok Ete Ibas said that MT TECNE and MT NIPAL were caught stealing crude oil from the crude oil loading facilities in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
“Suffice to state that the Nigerian Navy arrested a total of 30 vessels in 2018 for involvement in various forms of illegality in the nation’s maritime domain”.
“This indicates on the face value a downward trend when compared with 37 and 45 arrests recorded in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
“These arrests have served as deterrence and helped to support a more buoyant national economy. For instance, NNPC data indicate that crude oil losses from pipelines reduced from N51.28 billion in 2015 to N4.17 billion in 2017,” the Naval chief said.
Vice Admiral Ibas also said the Nigerian Navy, as at December 2018, handed over 247 maritime crime cases to prosecuting agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of which 51 had been successfully prosecuted.
“The Nigerian Navy’s seamless collaboration with related agencies has helped to create effective deterrence to criminals through the arrest and prosecution of various criminals.
Ibas said that the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Department of Fisheries had concluded plans to acquire dedicated vessels to fight illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the country.
Acknowledging the worsening security situation in the Gulf of Guinea, Ibas noted that there is collaboration between the navy and maritime stakeholders in the country and regional forces to addressing the issues.
On the international front, the Naval Chief acknowledged the contributions of allied nations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and France for their support geared towards encouraging and bolstering domestic and regional collaboration in practical terms and on sustainable basis.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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