…Hands Over N70m Seized Cannabis Sativa To NDLEA In Badagry***
The Nigerian Navy (NN) says it has rescued a Cameroonian registered fishing vessel, MFV AFKI, which drifted off its course on Oct. 24 with two crew members on board.
The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said in a statement on Monday in Abuja, that the Nigerian Navy received distress information about the missing vessel on Nov. 1.
Ayo-Vaughan said information received from the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria indicated that the vessel was heading to Congo Kinshasa after it left Bangul in Gambia when it drifted off course.
He said that while in transit, the vessel suffered depleted fuel to her propulsion engines which resulted in her drifting off the coast of Sao Tome and Principe into Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
“Unfortunately, all efforts by the vessel owners to trace its location for possible rescue proved abortive.
“However, further surveillance revealed that the last known location of the vessel was about 72 nautical miles from the Nigerian coast.
“Consequently, the NN swiftly deployed Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DORINA at its Maritime Domain Awareness facilities for Search and Rescue Operation.
“Accordingly, on Nov. 17 at about 20:00 hours, after frantic surveillance by the deployed NN platform, NNS DORINA traced and made contact with the vessel, 17 nautical miles off Pennington terminal,” he said.
Ayo-Vaughan said that due diligence was made to ascertain the status of the vessel and was discovered that it had no incriminating items onboard and was subsequently towed to Escravos in Delta.
According to him, the NN Forward Operating Base in Escravos took custody of the fishing vessel for further administrative procedures in preparation for handover to the Netherlands embassy.
“The NN wishes to use this opportunity to once again reassure seafarers and indeed other maritime operators of its commitments to collaborate with local and strategic partners and allies.
“To ensure the safety and security of vessels as well as crew members who carry out legitimate businesses in or transiting Nigerian maritime environment.”
*Lt. Cdt. Kelly Umoru, the Base Operations Officer, FOB, representing the Commanding Officer FOB, Navy Captain Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, handing over the 50 sacks of cannabis sativa to Mr Owen Dinneys, the Commander of Narcotics, Area Commander, Seme Special Command of NDLEA, on Monday in Badagry.
In another development, the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, handed over 50 sacks of cannabis sativa worth N70 million to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in Badagry.
On the seizures, Lt. Cdt. Kelly Umoru, the Base Operations Officer, FOB, representing the Commanding Officer FOB, Navy Captain Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said they seized the suspected cannabis sativa on Sunday.
“On Nov. 19, at about 6.30.a.m, they got an intelligence tip-off of suspected smuggling activities within our own Area of Operations.
“The intelligence indicated that a boat was sighted offloading products suspected to be cannabis sativa at Gbethrome Beach close to the Ashipa community.
“Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team, led by myself and Base Intelligence Officer, Lt. E. U. Okorie, proceeded to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest.
“The team conducted a cordon and search operation in the area,” he said.
Umoru said after searching, a total of 50 sacks of the suspected products which valued at about N70m were recovered.
“The adjoining communities were also searched but no other products or suspects were found.
“Investigations are ongoing in conjunction with other security agencies to identify the drug trafficking syndicate and in due course, arrest and prosecute same,” he said.
50 sacks of suspected cannabis sativa valued at N70m seized by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy
He recalled that since the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla assumed office, he had stated that his mission was to maintain and equip a professionally competent naval force capable of defending Nigeria’s maritime area of interest in fulfillment of national security imperative.
“Similarly, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, on Nov. 9, launched Operation Water Guard.
“This operation is aimed at denying smuggling and other criminal elements the freedom of action within Badagry General Area, to ensure security and economic stability in the area,” he said.
Receiving the exhibit, Mr. Owen Dinneys, the Commander of the Narcotics, Area Commander, Seme Special Command of NDLEA, promised that an investigation would commence on the seized items.
He commended Nigerian Navy for the huge seizures, assuring them that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.
“We will ensure that whoever is involved in the illegal drugs smuggling into the country is apprehended and justice will be done,” he said.
