NIMASA Task Force Arrests Boat Over Illegal Activities

The Joint Task Force Monitoring Team led by NIMASA recently intercepted and arrested a fibre boat named AMOMO MARINE carrying nine 205 litre drums and sixteen 50 litre cans of Automative Gas Oil (AGO) on board near the NNPC pipeline at Atlas Cove, Lagos.

The boat was immediately apprehended by the joint team of NIMASA officials and the Nigerian Navy and taken to the Agency’s Kirikiri jetty.

During questioning by NIMASA officials at its Kirikiri office, the crew members whose names were given as Ganiyu Abbas and Jamiu Matthew said they were sent by their boss to supply rice, fish and water to an unnamed ship at sea and that they would be paid with one and a half ton of diesel.

The suspected sponsors, Mrs. Sikirat Oba and Mr. Emiko Nelson were also apprehended after they were called by the boat crew.

Meanwhile officials of the Agency have evacuated the boat to stop the continued spill of the oil with resultant negative effects on marine and aquatic life.

The suspects and a total of nine 205 litre drums and Sixteen 50 litre cans of AGO have been handed over to the Marine Police at Kirikiri for further investigations.

NIMASA, the Agency responsible for the administration of maritime safety in the nation has powers to arrest ships, non convention vessels and small crafts suspected of carrying out illegal activities in section 35 (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.

—Esther Komolafe