Navy Arrests MT Harbor Spirit With 13 Crew Members

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Nigerian Navy said it has arrested a Motor Tanker on its watch list, MT Harbor Spirit alongside its 13 crew members for alleged illegal activities within the nation’s water.

According to the navy, the arrest of the vessel came barely two days after another vessel, MT Queen of Peace was intercepted for unauthorized possession of petroleum products without valid documents.

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A statement on Sunday by the Director, Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said MT Harbor Spirit was intercepted around 10:30 am on Thursday, March 17 around Bonny Fairway Buoy by operatives onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) THUNDER while participating in this year’s multinational maritime exercise, Obangame Express.

He said upon interrogation of the crew, the vessel was discovered to be in possession of forged documents for the evacuation of fortified and auctioned product (crude oil) from MV KOME XVIII.

“Accordingly, MT Harbor Spirit and her crew of 13 men, all Nigerians, were arrested and handed over to Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY for further investigation and possible handover for prosecution.

The Navay Diffo said the crackdown is “indicative of the resolve of the Nigerian Navy to rid Nigeria’s maritime environment of all infractions and illegalities for legitimate maritime activities to thrive towards the economic growth of Nigeria.”