The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT.

  • Navy arrest vessel, crew for oil ‘theft’

    Navy arrest vessel, crew for oil ‘theft’

    The Nigerian Navy Friday handed over a Motor Tanker, MT WOLOF and its seven crew members to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged Automated Gas Oil (AGO) theft.

    The vessel, according to the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, was intercepted on June 30, around the Lagos Safe Anchorage Area (LSAA).

    He said: “At the time of the arrest, MT WOLOF was loaded with about 300 metric tons of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO and had seven crew members onboard.

    Investigation revealed that the vessel had no document to support the product it was carrying.”
    Eno said that the sample of the product onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory test which the result indicated that the product did not meet the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) specification.

    He said: “The result also did not meet the Standard Organization of Nigeria’s (SON) specification.

    “In view of this, the EFCC has to take charge for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas has zero tolerance for illegalities in our waters. The Navy therefore reiterates its drive to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain from criminal elements.

    “I advise defaulters to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law. I also urge citizens to give useful information with regards to persons engaged in illegal act to the navy or other security agencies.”

  • Navy Admiral found dead in his Lagos home

    Navy Admiral found dead in his Lagos home

    The Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Daniel Ikoli was Wednesday found dead at his Apapa, Lagos residence.

    Ikoli, who was Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT and later appointed into the presidential committee on the probe of arms deal, was said to have been found in a pool of his blood.

    It was gathered that the senior officer left the office on Tuesday afternoon after complaining he wasn’t feeling too well.

    The Nation reports that Rear Admiral Ikoli was battling an undisclosed illness, which made him loose weight.

    He also became withdrawn contrary to his usual boisterous personality.

    It was also gathered that the deceased was suffering from depression caused by the high dollar rate and unavailability Foreign Exchange (FOREX) for his children’s tuition.

    According to sources, Ikoli usually expressed worries about the possibility of assassins going after him as a result of his membership in the committee.

    Officers who worked under the deceased have expressed shock over his death, insisting he might have been assassinated.

    According to a close aide to the deceased, a boy who lives at his home claimed he heard gunshot from Ikoli’s room and took cover.

    He said: “The boy said he heard gunshot and when he did, he took cover. His wife is in Abuja and his children school abroad. His orderly and Naval Assistant (NA) usually go after dropping him.

    “The bullet hit him on the chest. Three bullets were seen in his room. No one can really tell what happened but the position he was seen suggests he might have been scared of something or someone.

    “He was a nice and intelligent officer. He was the one who spearheaded the renovations at BEECROFT when he was Commander. It’s a sad news really.”

    Contacted, the command’s information officer, Lieutenant Commander Chinwe Umar said the police have been invited for investigation.

    She said: “In the early hours of Wednesday, April 5, gunshots were heard in the vicinity where Rear Admiral Teikumo Daniel Ikoli resides in Apapa.

    “When his room was opened, he was found dead. Police have been invited and investigation is ongoing. When the situation is clearer, an update would be given.”

     

  • Navy hands over two suspected vandals, fuel to NSCDC

    Navy hands over two suspected vandals, fuel to NSCDC

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT Wednesday handed over two suspected pipeline vandals and 53 fuel-laden jerrycans to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Suleiman Ismail, 38, and Kingsley Imaeto, 40 were arrested by operatives attached to Operation AWATSE, the anti-vandals/militants taskforce combing Lagos-Ogun creeks.

    According to the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, the suspects were apprehended at Imagbon in Ogun State.

    While handing over the suspects and exhibits to the NSCDC Area Commander, Lagos Central, Assistant Commandant Padonu Augustine, Eno said: “The 76km stretch of pipeline running from Atlas Cove to Mosimi Depot was shut down for 11 months due to severe acts of vandalism on the lines. This was to allow total refurbishment of the lines which cost the Federal Government billions of Naira.

    “The maintenance of the lines was completed early this year and pumping of products to Mosimi commenced on March 21.

    “However, at about 3am on March 27, a private security outfit, Topline Leighton Limited, engaged for security and maintenance of the pipeline, in conjunction with personnel of Operation AWATSE arrested two suspects in Ogun.

    “They were arrested with 53 Jerry cans of 50 litres each of PMS suspected to have been siphoned from the pipelines. The products were being conveyed in four vehicles as at the time of the arrest.

    “The vehicles used for the illegal act were Toyota Sienna marked LSR142BH, Volkswagen Bus with registration number KRD151XM, Mazda Bus- XU138EPE and Toyota Camry marked VL03APP.

    “Some of the vandals on sighting the securitymen, fled the scene.”

    Eno assured the public that security forces would continue to arrest those involved in pipeline vandalism and oil theft, warning the perpetrators to desist from such acts.

    “We should note that criminals involved in pipeline vandalism are sometimes involved in kidnappings, bank robberies and other nefarious activities,” said Eno.

     

  • Navy dismisses personnel for illegal drug possession

    Navy dismisses personnel for illegal drug possession

    For allegedly being in possession of 14.55kg of Marijuana, a Nigerian Navy (NN), Seaman Haruna Umar has been dismissed from service.

    Umar was dismissed and handed over to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after a court martial found him guilty of the offence.

    The suspect was arrested in June last year after he was caught with the drugs.

    A statement signed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Lieutenant Elizabeth Ibrahim warned people to not transact any business with him as a military man.

    She said:”On June 7, 2016, a Seaman H. Umar with force number X13555 was arrested for being in possession of about 14.55kg of illicit substance suspected to be canabis sativa.

    “He was summarily tried and the legal review of the trial indicated that the accused was properly charged and due process was complied with during the trial.

    “He was found guilty and the sentence of dismissal was awarded to him for peddling illicit drugs. Accordingly, the ex-rating was handed over to the NDLEA for necessary action.

    “This is to inform the public that the ex-rating is no longer a member of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Anyone who transacts business with him does so at his or her own risk.”

  • Navy intercepts 559kg of Carnabis, arrests three suspects

    Navy intercepts 559kg of Carnabis, arrests three suspects

    …Five others caught for illegal fishing

     

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT have arrested three suspected drug traffickers including a Beninnois, caught smuggling 559kgs of Carnabis Sativa (Marijuana) into Lagos.

    Nautey Akiti, 33, Jelili Anu, 25 and Kunnuyi Danului, 24 were arrested on February 5, at Ikare waterways, with 11 bags containing carefully packed dried weeds, with an estimated N10million street value.

    Handing over the suspects to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday evening, the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno said they were caught onboard a fibre boat, MY DESTINY.

    “The suspects, substance and the boat are being handed over to NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution. Our men onboard NNS KARADUWA also arrested a fishing trawler, FT STEPHANIE that was engaged in illegal fishing around the road stead on February 3.

    “It was discovered that the fishing permit of the vessel has expired as such, the vessel was not supposed to fish in Nigerian waters at the time it was caught. So, the five crew members on board could not give satisfactory explanation for their action and they were arrested.

    “The suspects-Theophilus Ibikunle, Oshaegbu Shedrack, Felix Ajigbo, Wasiu Lawal and Omotuole Orisameolowa- have been handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries for further action.

    “In line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, I want to restate the resolve of NNS Beecroft to tackle all forms of criminalities in its area of operation.”

    However, the suspected drug traffickers denied knowing the content of the bags were Marijuana.

    They claimed they were contracted by one Amos to deliver the luggage around Ojo.

    Akiti claimed he was in the boat to collect his money from Anu, who asked him to assist in loading the boat.

    He said: “I am a fisherman. I am from Benin Republic but I live at Ikare. It was Jelili that told me to help him load the boat with the bags. After loading, I asked for my money but he said I should follow him so that the owner can pay me. I don’t know anything about it. If I knew it was drugs, I wouldn’t have followed them in the boat.”

    But Anu denied Akiti’s claim, insisting that it was Amos who called the latter.

    Anu said as a boat operator, he was offered N20,000 on charter basis to deliver the bags to an address in Ojo.

    He denied knowing the content.

  • Army trains Customs personnel on use of AK47 rifle, others

    Army trains Customs personnel on use of AK47 rifle, others

    Following the enhancement of the Nigerian Customs Service’ (NCS) fire power, the Nigerian Army yesterday certified 62 of their personnel fit to handle AK47 rifle.

    The cerification was after a four weeks course weapon handling, armoury management and physical fitness conducted at the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army in Lagos.

    Of the 62 NCS personnel drafted from the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Apapa, to be the first batch of personnel to handle the AK47 rifle, four were women.

    Commending the NCS for ensuring professional competence among its men, the 9 Brigade Commander, Gen. Bulama Biu expressed confidence that the graduands were better prepared to tackle smugglers.

    He said: ”We were tasked by the Army headquarters to conduct a four-week training cadre for the NCS personnel in line with the Comptroller General’s drive to re-proffessionalise the NCS for optimal service delivery, as well as the Chief of Army Staff’s vision to assist and cooperate with other security agencies.

    ”You are aware that the country and the world at large is currently undergoing numerous dimensions of security and economic challenges.

    ”As government agency charged with the responsibility of revenue generation and anti-smuggling, it is expedient that you sharpen your skills at all times in order to be better prepared for likely enforcement of the law.

    ”To this end, the trainees went through series of physical fitness regimes which included trainning on the obstacles crossing course amongst other fitness drills.”

    In his remark, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji urged them to be disciplined.

    Adaji who was the special guest at the event expressed satisfaction on the spirit of sportsmanship among the security agencies.

    “I am sure that with the training gathered in the last four weeks, the graduands are better prepared to take on their task in combating smugglers and in doing so, they have learnt how to stay safe.

    “That thus training was conducted at the 9 Brigade is testimony of the growing cooperation among security agencies, which is not only in the area of training but also during operations,” he said.

    In his address, NCS’ Controller General, Hameed Ali urged the graduands to effectively utilise knowledge gained for the good of the nation.

    Ali who was represented by Customs Zone A Coordinator, Charles Edike said: ”The training given here will be seriously put to use. There has been a very strong synergy between the Customs and the Navy and that has resulted to alot of seizures around the Zone A on monthly basis.

    “There are many creeks on the zone. And even if you line up all the NCS men, they cannot cover all the areas. That is where the navy comes in handy. They go to the sea and they see those vessels that do not come to port. So, whenever they see them, they contact us,” he said.

     

     

  • Navy recovers two boats, several kegs from vandals

    Navy recovers two boats, several kegs from vandals

    Operativesof the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has recovered two wooden boats and several kegs, hosts used by pipeline vandals around the Badagry creeks.

    This recovery, the third within a month around Lagos waters was secured during a raid of the riverine areas around Badagry and Seme border.

    According to the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commordore Abraham Adaji the navy observed that series of illegal bunkering activities have been going on at the border towns between Nigeria and Cotonou, particularly around Badagry.

    He said: “It is in view of this that Naval patrol team from NNS Beecroft were sent to Seme border and they intercepted these two wooden boats while on their way to carry out their nefarious activities.

    “Upon sighting the navy boats, the criminals jumped overboard, abandoning their materials which included Outboard Engines, several Hoses, 200 litres of drums and 25 litres of jerry cans. There were also few lube oils, and pumping machines which were all recovered from the boats.”

     

  • Navy nab three suspected stowaways in Lagos

    Navy nab three suspected stowaways in Lagos

    Three Nigerians who boarded a Europe bound Merchant Vessel have been arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT.

    The suspects, Okechukwu Obi, 17; Joseph Tunji, 29, and Ismaila Olaniyi, 28, who were caught onboard MT TORM MARINS were Thursday handed over to the police for prosecution.

    They were said to have boarded the vessel through the rudder trunk and accessed manhole while the ship berthed at the National Oil Jetty (NOJ), Apapa, to discharge petroleum product.

    Handing over the suspects to the police, Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji said that investigation revealed that the suspects illegally boarded the vessel, with intent to travel abroad.

    He said they were discovered by the ship company while the merchant vessel was carrying out routine maintenance.

    Adaji who decried the spate of Nigerians travelling abroad illegally, noted that the suspects might have been thrown overboard if the vessel had left Nigerian waters.

    He warned Nigerians to desist from the act, noting that it was the third time Obi has been arrested for the same offence.

    Adaji said: “This would be the third time Okechukwo Obi would be arrested by naval operatives from BEECROFT. He was arrested in December but because the ship he illegally boarded had concluded her transaction in Nigeria and was about leaving, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prosecute him and so, he was warned and released.

    “Surprisingly, two weeks after that incident he was arrested again, during our investigation, it was discovered that this would be the third time he has been arrested while trying to travel onboard a ship illegally.

    “We are appealing to the Police to diligently prosecute the suspects as their actions show that they would do all within their means to board another ship illegally.

    “They may not be so lucky next time  as the ship’s crew might throw them overboard for fishes to eat while at sea,” he said.

    But the suspects seemed undeterred in their quest to travel as they told The Nation that they must leave Nigeria.

    Obi who was paraded last year by the Navy and handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) alongside seven others said he would rather die trying than continue to suffer in Nigeria.

    “If God says I should die, then I die. All those people that were arrested with me last year have all travelled. All of them are in Brazil and they are always calling me.

    “I must make it because I am tired of this life. Anytime you go out to look for job, they will ask you to go and bring surety. Where will I get surety? I only have my grandmother who is in the village in Imo State.

    “I went to learn how to repair generator and I was told to bring surety. I don’t have a house. I sleep inside bus where I work as conductor and get N500 or N700 daily. How will I survive?

    “I have made up my mind that I must go to Brazil like my firends. We bought two bags of pure water, gala and garri that was supposes to last us 20 days on the journey. But we have finished them here. I will keep trying until I succeed,” he said.

    Similarly, Olaniyi who claimed his father was a retired soldier said he was fade up with the hardship on Nigeria, adding that police usually clamped down on them because they have nothing doing.

    “I used to work as a labourer at Ogombo in Ajah, but now, there is no job. I am from Ondo state. I am a street boy, but I am not a criminal. And it is because I do not want to become a criminal that I want to go out there and hustle,” he said.