12th January, 2015
The Nigerian Navy (NN) has intercepted over 84 vessels across board for illegalities and maritime offences in 2014.
A competent Nigerian Navy source made the disclosure to NAN in Lagos on Sunday.
According to the source, the Navy intercepted and arrested over 84 vessels across board.
“After preliminary investigation, the vessels arrested for illegalities and maritime offences are handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agencies for further investigation and prosecution,” the source said.
The source also told NAN that the Navy had enough patrol boats and ships with the personnel for operations, adding it was well equipped to fight sea piracy.
“I cannot tell you how many patrol boats and ships the Nigerian Navy has for security and operational reasons but I assure you there are enough on ground and which are effective.
“We have different classes of ships and patrol boats in the Western Naval Command,” he said.
The source also said that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin had zero tolerance for maritime offences in the Nigerian teritorial waters.