Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, operating under the
Central Naval Command, has handed over three suspects to the Department of
State Services (DSS) for illegal possession of firearms .
The suspects were found to have also acted as
unauthorised security escort aboard the Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) Olokun
VIII.
Commander of NNS SOROH, Commodore Omobamidele
Akinbami, disclosed that the arrest followed a boarding operation conducted on
March 9, 2025, by Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, a sub-unit of NNS SOROH.
“Acting on credible intelligence, naval personnel
intercepted the trawler, which was reportedly conveying armed individuals who
had fired shots to intimidate local fishermen in Bayelsa waters,”he said.
Akinbami, who spoke through Navy Capt. Jerry Ayim-Odu,
Executive Officer of NNS SOROH, stated that the boarding team discovered one G3
assault rifle, a pump-action shotgun, and several rounds of ammunition during
the operation.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the captain
of the vessel had illegally contracted two members of the Oodua People’s
Congress (OPC) as armed escorts, despite their lack of licenses to carry or
operate firearms.
“The vessel, its crew, and the two OPC members were
arrested for illegal possession of firearms and for engaging in unauthorised
security escort services,” Akinbami said.
“In line with directives from Naval Headquarters, the
suspects have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and
possible prosecution.”
He warned seafarers against engaging in criminal acts
that could threaten the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to him, the Navy will not condone
unauthorised possession of weapons or illegal security operations at sea.
“All individuals are urged to remain law-abiding at
all times,” he said.
In his defence, the captain of the vessel, Mr Elijah
Samuel, claimed ignorance regarding the licensing status of the weapons.
He explained that he had hired the OPC escorts due to
the increasing threat posed by sea pirates.
“I didn’t know the guns were unlicensed. I’ve been
kidnapped twice before by sea pirates, and they’ve often stolen our goods and
even killed crew members.
“That’s why I hired the OPC boys to protect us,” he
said
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