On March 9, the Nigerian navy arrested sixteen foreigners on charges of carrying out illegal oil trade.
What happened?
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny, Rivers State intercepted a vessel on suspicions of being involved in illegal oil trade. They also arrested sixteen Ukrainian nationals who were operating the vessel in Nigerian waters.
Commanding Officer, FOB Bonny, Captain Suleiman Olorundare, said; “The foreigners activities violated the law of cabotage and handed them over to security operatives for further investigations. They were caught while carrying drums suspected to be automated gas oil, without relevant documentation”.
Illegal trading
The Commanding officer also informed that the vessel was engaged in illegal trading activities that are against the Nigerian law, especially the Cabotage law.
The sixteen suspects were promptly handed over to the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigations and prosecution.
Pirate attack
In another case of increased criminal activities in oil-rich Niger Delta region on the same day, a pirate attack was also carried out in the Bayelsa State by suspected pirates, the attack occurred barely 24-hours after gunmen suspected to be pirates attacked a commercial boat en route Yenagoa, the state capital.
Unfortunately, two passengers including a pregnant woman were shot when the pirates attacked a boat enroute from Koluama to Yenagoa.
The Friday attack saw the suspected pirates attack a commercial boat at Okobotuo area, along Akassa-Yenagoa waterways.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Don Awunah, blamed the attacks on increased insecurity on the waterway and the riverine topography of Bayelsa State.
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Source: News Verge
