The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom, has arrested 14 suspects and impounded a vessel used for illegal fishing.
Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Uche Aneke, disclosed this to newsmen Wednesday, while handing over 4 Ghanaians and 10 Nigerian suspects and their vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, Cross River.
He noted that the suspects were arrested within 5 nautical miles in Calabar Channel on Monday, November 27 for engaging in illegal trawling activities.
He added that the vessel was seized within the Calabar channel, where they were actively engaged in illegal trawling within the channel, which is prohibited by the fishery laws.
“Sequel to the interception and arrest of the fishing, trawler MFT LAMU 1, with registration number LA799, on Monday, Nov. 27th, was seized for illegal trawling,” he said.
Aneke explained that the suspects were duly informed not to disembark from the vessel while armed sentries were assigned onboard for security.
“This incident came to light after a report from the Eastern Regional Control Center (ERCC), Calabar on Monday, Nov. 27th, indicating that MFT LAMU 1 had been involved in illegal fishing activities within 5 nautical miles offshore the Calabar channel, within FOB Ibaka’s Area of Operation,” he said.
He said that FOB under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), remained committed to upholding Nigeria’s maritime laws and ensuring the sustainability of our coastal waters for national development, in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s strategic directives.
Receiving the suspects, Mrs. Stella Auforo, fisheries officer at the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, thanked the Nigerian Navy for securing the maritime waters.
She said the department would further investigate the suspects and take appropriate actions.
“The Federal Department of Fisheries will take further action in line with provisions of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, 2016,” she said.
