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NIGERIA NAVY ARRESTS 10 SEA PIRATES, RESCUE 18 CREW MEMBERS AND A CHINESE FISHING TRAWLER

The Nigeria Navy in its quest to secure its Exclusive Economic Zone and the Gulf of Guinea has rescued a Chinese fishing trawler called HAILUFENG 11 and 18 crew members while also arresting 10 sea pirates, the country’s Defence Headquarters announced. 


The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Twitter while giving maritime operations update.


According to the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Navy on May 26, discovered 2 illegal refining sites with 4 storage tanks laden with estimated 400,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO during an anti crude theft/anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in Briakiri off Onne and Abise community off Abonema Akukutoru Local Government Area of Rivers State.


READ MORE:  PIRATES ABANDONED HIJACKED CARGO VESSEL, ESCAPES


No arrest was made as the perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team but the products were impounded, and two pumping machines were seized. 


Likewise, on May 25, the Navy intercepted a wooden boat and a speed boat as well as a 3-inch pipe and associated fittings close to NPDC pipeline around Ilaopashe, Bennett island and Lokpobri communities in Warri and Burutu South LGA of Delta State.


Also discovered were 4 illegal refining sites with 14 dug-out pits, 32 surface metal storage tanks and 43 ovens laden with about 628.98 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil as well as 72,000.00 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO.


The team disconnected the pipes and fittings, seized the speed boat and dismantled the storage facilities.


READ MORE: PIRATES ATTACK VESSEL, KIDNAP 2 CREW MEMBERS


Also, on May 26, the Navy team arrested 2 suspects on a medium size wooden boat laden with drums of about 49,000 litres of alleged stolen PMS around Ewang Creek. The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will soon be handed over to the relevant prosecuting agency.

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