Nigerian Navy Arrests Indians, 12 Others For Illegal Fishing In Bayelsa

A fishing vessel and its 14-member crew, including two Indians, were seized by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso for breaching the Sea Fisheries Act near the Brass coastline in Bayelsa State.

The trawler ‘MFV Seven Stars’ and its 14 crew members were turned over to the Federal Department of Fisheries, while the two Indians were turned over to the Nigerian Immigration Service.

The white chemicals discovered in the trawler were also turned over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command, for further examination.

The Commanding Officer, Capt Murtala Aminu Rogo, said at the handover ceremony at the Forward Operating Base in Egwema, Brass local government area, that the trawler was apprehended on November 29, 2023.

Rogo, who was represented by the bases’ Executive Officer, Commander Dantani Ishaku Bukar, identified the two Indians as Mr Suresha Dogra and Mr Punnakal Francis Xavier.

He went on to say that such maritime violations will not be accepted by the Navy, both in Nigerian seas and in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, a preliminary examination by the base indicated that the captain erroneously stated a 12-member crew on board rather than a 14-member crew, and the other two crew were determined to be on board illegally. The two Indians on board lacked a passport as well.

He said, “Let me also add that the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its efforts towards policing and enforcement of maritime laws.

“To this end, I wish to advice all mariners to be law-abiding as they engage the Nigerian maritime domain for their individual business.

“Pertinently, fishing companies and agents must pay particular attention to the instructions in Form B issued to them by the Federal Department of Fisheries as license and same must be communicated and understood by the crew, to avoid any form of infringement on the state law them.

“In line with the provisions of Harmonided Standard Operating Procedures on arrest, detention and prosecution of vessel and Person 2016.

“I am directed to hand over Motor Fishing Vessel Seven Stars to representative of FDF, while the two Indians and white substance would be handed over to NIS and NDLEA respectively for further investigation and possible prosecution.”