Nigerian Navy apprehends two vessels for unlawful fishing activities

In a recent operation, the Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU successfully apprehended two fishing trawlers, TAURARO and STARSHRIMPER 29, in the Badagry region of Lagos for engaging in alleged illegal fishing activities.

Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, disclosed the development, highlighting that the fishing trawlers were intercepted during a patrol of the waterways in the Badary axis. The operation took place in the early hours of Tuesday, and over 100 bags of fish were discovered in the insulated fish-holding section of the vessels.

The arrest is attributed to the ongoing Exercise EJA EXPRESSION, initiated by Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan to address maritime illegalities within the Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility. The exercise aims to enhance personnel capabilities in combating economic crimes, specifically focusing on activities such as illegal fishing in the nation’s waters.

Providing details about the interception, the Command Information Officer, Commander Patricia Ochei, stated, “Around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, while on patrol along the Badagary axis of Lagos, Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU intercepted and interrogated the two suspicious fishing trawlers. The vessels were subsequently boarded and confirmed to have large quantities of fish onboard despite their license to shrimp only.”

The successful outcomes of Exercise EJA EXPRESSION demonstrate the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to deterring and addressing maritime offenses, serving as a deterrent to potential perpetrators and facilitating the arrest of suspected maritime offenders.