Navy Transfers Vessels to Fisheries for Illegal Fishing

The Nigerian Navy transferred three fishing vessels (MV OLUFUNKE 1, MV IRUO OGHENE, and AM 8702) and their 33 crew members to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (FDFA) following their arrest for alleged illegal fishing activities. The vessels were apprehended between August 26 and 28 during an anti-illegal fishing operation named Abo Eja.

The handover occurred on Thursday at the Defence Jetty in Marina, with the Assistant Chief Fisheries Officer, Are Taiwo, and Senior Fisheries Officer, Folakemi Bamidele, receiving them. Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, represented by Captain OO Oginni, stated that the vessels were found fishing within restricted areas and had switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS).

The Navy completed preliminary investigations before the handover, confirming the immigration status of foreign crew members, including two Chinese and three Ghanaians. This operation is part of the Navy's ongoing efforts to enforce maritime laws and protect Nigeria's marine resources under Vice Admiral Idi Abbas's leadership.