The Nigerian Navy has handed over a vessel, MT Itiri, suspected to have aided piracy off Pennington Terminal in Warri, Delta State, to the International Police (InterPol).
MT Itiri was arrested in January by NNS Ibusa for allegedly conspiring with pirates to hijack another vessel.
Following directives from naval headquarters, MT Itiri, which was held at the NNS Beecroft in Apapa, Lagos, was handed over to the InterPol Department of the Nigeria Police for further investigation.
At the hand-over ceremony, the Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae said the navy has zero tolerance for illegalities at sea.
He said: “We are committed to making our waters safe for legitimate business to thrive. The Nigerian Navy is using this medium to warn sea pirates and criminal elements on the nation’s waters to desist from nefarious activities or face the consequences. There will be no hiding place for such elements.
“We also solicit information from maritime stakeholders and law-abiding citizens, that could lead to the apprehension of those involved in criminal activities in our waters.”
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.
