The Nigerian Navy said it apprehended the MV BLU-SHARK, IMO 8767783, which allegedly escaped from Port Gentil in Gabon.
The arrest is part of an ongoing collaboration between regional maritime security agencies in the Gulf of Guinea under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct for Maritime Security in the region.
According to Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre D has issued an alert message for the search and possible arrest of MV BLU-SHARK, which allegedly left Gabon’s Port Gentil without obtaining necessary Customs Clearance documents from Gabonese Maritime, Judicial, and Customs authorities.
The statement went on to say that after receiving the alert, the Nigerian Navy used its Maritime Domain Awareness facilities to direct Nigerian Navy Ship OSE (NNS OSE) to intercept and arrest the vessel on May 6, 2024, off Calabar waters.
Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu also stated that the Nigerian Navy will conduct preliminary investigations to determine the veracity of the allegations before handling the vessel by the Yaounde Code of Conduct.
He also stated that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, took advantage of the laudable feat to commend NNS OSE officers and ratings for their professionalism in apprehending the alleged fleeing vessel, as well as to reiterate the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to collaborating with neighbouring countries to combat transnational maritime crimes in the region.
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