The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta, has handed over 15 suspects and a Merchant Fishing Vessel, MVF, Lily IV to the Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo for further investigation.
The suspects and the vessel were handed over to the representative of the Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America on Wednesday at the Navy base Jetty in Warri.
The Executive Officer of NNS Delta, Capt. Solomon Paul released the vessel and the suspects on behalf of the Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin.
While addressing newsmen, Muhsin said that the vessel and the suspects were arrested on March 11, in Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.
According to him, the vessel with the suspects on board was arrested for alleged illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.
“We are here to hand over MFV Lily IV and 15 suspects comprising 14 Nigerians and one Ghanaian.
“With the Nigerian Navy personnel on board intercepted and arrested a Merchant Fishing Vessel, Lily IV.
“The vessel was consequently taken under custody by the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos for investigation on March 13.
“The investigation revealed that two of the crew members were not registered on the vessel’s manifest,” he said.
Navy hands over 15 suspected fishermen, vessel to Edo govt
