The Nigerian Navy says it will continue to maintain its reputation of strict adherence to the rule of law and due diligence in its efforts at defending the nation’s territorial waters and economic interest.

The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy (NN) Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, Capt. Rafiu Taye Oladejo said this on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, while handing over an arrested vessel, MV ABAZI to its owners, Riverman Nigeria Limited at Shell Midstream on the Bonny River in Rivers State.

Capt. Oladejo, who was represented by the Base Operating Officer (BOO), NN FOB, Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Eyioefe Ekah, explained that the handover of the MV ABAZI was a demonstration of its commitment to the rule of law and due diligence, pointing out that the MV ABAZI was arrested for switching off of the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS). has now returned the vessel to its owners.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) helps ships and other sea going vessels to be aware of each other’s position by transmitting individual position to others to avoid collisions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other maritime management bodies require large ships, including many commercial fishing vessels, to broadcast their position with AIS in order to avoid collisions.

He stated that as at the time of arrest, the vessel’s AIS was off hence her arrest, accordingly investigation was carried out and a report sent to the appropriate superior authority, having met all conditions for release, the Naval Headquarters directed that the vessel owners be duly cautioned for AIS infractions and subsequently, hand over the vessel.

In a chat with Kristina Reports shortly after the brief handover event, the Regulating Officer of the NN FOB, Sub Lieutenant Justin Orer, explained that “the vessel was intercepted and arrested while it was proceeding out of the Bonny Channel by one of our routine patrol vessels, NNS KYANWA”.

“However, as at the time of interception, MV ABAZI’s AIS was off – any vessel which AIS is off violates maritime regulations because at all times, while your vessel is on the way your AIS is supposed to be on. So, at the time of interception, the vessel’s AIS was off.”

“When we arrested the vessel we turned on its AIS and we identified the vessel as MV ABAZI. So, an investigation was conducted and a report was written and sent to the Naval Headquarters.”

“The Naval Headquarters having found MV ABAZI culpable of AIS infraction which is a maritime offence, directed that the vessel be released to its owner, after being cautioned, which we have done today.”

He added that “the ceremony was the official handing over and taking over process to clearly state that the vessel is no longer in the custody of the Nigerian Navy, Bonny, it has been released having fulfilled all conditions for release to the rightful owners of the vessel”.

Speaking in an interview with Kristina Reports, the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) of Riverman Nigeria Limited, owners of the vessel, MV ABAZI, Gbenge Olayinka, expressed happiness over the release of the vessel, regretting that the period of arrest had been one of pain and tension for the company.

“The handover means a lot to us, we are happy, we are really grateful. It’s over a month now since the vessel was seized and it has been a month of pain and tension.

“It was a company vessel going to the rig to supply some items and was mistakenly arrested because the AIS was not being transmitted. It was just an issue of mistaken Identity, we were mistaken for another vessel and we were held.”

“We have written an undertaking that we will do the needful. The vessel is actually on a legal business and is working with the rig, there is no incriminated database, we are cleared but that AIS probably did not transmit well and that is why they held us.”

Olayinka, who is also the General Manager of the company, expressed appreciation to the authorities of the Nigerian Navy for giving heed to reason and releasing the vessel to the company, assuring that henceforth the issues that led to the seizure of the vessel would not arise again.

“We are really grateful to the Nigerian Navy for assisting us to book everything to go back home. We will ensure that our vessel is transmitted at all time.”