The Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have vowed to ensure the nation’s territorial waters remain safe for shipping business to thrive as a way of boosting the economy.

Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny, Capt. Rafiu Taye Oladejo and the Chief Enforcement Officer (CEO), NIMASA Outstation, Bonny, Dakoru Egbaimo, jointly made this vow during the handover of an arrested vessel, MT MARVEL, in Bonny on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

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The two officials were represented at the handover by the FOB’s Base Operations Officer (BOO), Lt. Commander Eyieofe Ekah, and PEO Paul Chika Ochulor, respectively.

In a brief chat with Kristina Reports, Lt. Cdr. Ekah disclosed that the vessel, MT MARVEL was arrested by the Navy on Friday, August 13, 2021 at the Bonny Anchorage, for switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) and not having the relevant documents from NIMASA to operate on Nigerian waters when accosted by naval personnel.

“The vessel, MT MARVEL was seized due to AIS infraction, and had no NIMASA documents to operate in Nigerian waters. We are directed to handover the seized vessel to appropriate prosecuting agencies.  The vessel was seized on the 13 Aug 2021, that’s approximately six weeks.”  

He noted that the handover of the vessel to NIMASA underscored the robust synergy between both agencies poised at ensuring that the nation’s territorial waters remain safe for maritime activities to thrive, adding that both institutions would continue to deepen their collaboration to ensure due diligence in the Maritime space.

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“It tells of the synergy between the Nigeria Navy and NIMASA, likewise the fact that we intend to conduct our own Maritime security arrests, and definitely handover the seized vessel to the appropriate prosecuting agency for further investigation.”

On his part, PEO Ochulor, who expressed delight over the cordial working relationship between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, emphasized that having taken into its custody the offending vessel, MT MARVEL, thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the infractions leveled against the vessel and decide on appropriate prosecution options.  

“Now that the vessel is handed to NIMASA, it is now under the custody of NIMASA, thorough inspection will be carried out to ascertain the infraction and if there are other areas found wanting.”

“The significance is that it shows the cordial relationship that exists amongst various government agencies to achieve better and secure shipping.”