LILY IV

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Fishing vessel seized in MEZ

The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS 'Delta' has handed over 15 suspects and the 'Lily IV' to the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Fishery, Edo State for investigation. The suspects were arrested on March 11, 2024 in Forcados, Burutu local government area of Delta State. The suspects, 14 Nigerians, one Ghanaian and the vessel were handed over to the representative of the Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America on March 27 at the Navy base jetty in Warri, Delta State.. The vessel was apprehended for alleged illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform. On March 11, the 'Kingston', a private maritime security company vessel belonging to the Ocean Marine Services (OMS) contracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) Nigeria Ltd., with the Nigerian Navy personnel onboard intercepted the 'Lily IV'. The vessel was consequently taken under custody by the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos for investigation on March 13. Preliminary investigation revealed that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the 'Lily IV' entered the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform. The investigation revealed that two of the crew members were not registered on the vessel’s manifest. The Department of Fishery will take further steps and they may face prosecutions.