Navy hands over two wooden boats, 13 suspects to police in Bayelsa

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, Bayelsa,  has handed over two wooden boats, 13  crew members suspected of illegal mining of black sand to the  Police command  in the state.

The suspects were apprehended for  conveying bags of illegally mined black sand at Lekeson Community and Liama Community, in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

The Commanding Officer, Capt. Sunday Haruna, said the suspects were apprehended while conveying bags of illegally mined black sand with 13 crew members on board.

He said the operation was led by the Base Operations Officer, Lt. Cdr Ugochukwu Chukwu, who conducted the operation on June 14, following credible intelligence on  movement of the boats.

The commanding officer reaffirmed  commitment of the base  to combating  illegal exploitation of natural resources, curbing maritime crimes, and ensuring  safety and security of Nigeria’s waterways in line with the Nigerian navy’s constitutional mandate.

According to him, in line with established procedures and on the directive of the Bayelsa State Government, the two wooden boats,  recovered bags of illegally mined black sand, and 13 suspects were handed over to Nembe Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.