The Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under the Central Naval Command, has transferred three individuals to the Department of State Services for illegal possession of firearms and acting as unauthorized armed escorts on a fishing vessel.
The suspects were apprehended aboard the Motor Fishing Trawler Olokun VIII, where they were found to be operating unlawfully as security personnel.
According to Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami, Commander of NNS SOROH, the arrest followed a targeted boarding operation carried out on March 9, 2025, by Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, a sub-unit of the naval command.
“Acting on credible intelligence, naval personnel intercepted the trawler, which was reportedly conveying armed individuals who had fired shots to intimidate local fishermen in Bayelsa waters,” he stated.
The commander, represented by Navy Captain Jerry Ayim-Odu, the Executive Officer of NNS SOROH, said the naval boarding team recovered a G3 assault rifle, a pump-action shotgun, and a quantity of ammunition from the vessel during the operation.
Further investigations revealed that the vessel’s captain had unlawfully engaged two operatives of the Oodua People’s Congress to serve as armed escorts, despite their lack of appropriate licenses for handling firearms.
“The vessel, its crew, and the two OPC members were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and for engaging in unauthorised security escort services,” Akinbami explained.
He noted that, following directives from Naval Headquarters, the suspects had been officially handed over to the DSS for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Commodore Akinbami cautioned seafarers against any acts that could endanger maritime safety, emphasizing that the Navy would not tolerate unlawful possession of weapons or unauthorized armed activities in Nigerian waters.
“All individuals are urged to remain law-abiding at all times,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, the captain of Olokun VIII, Mr. Elijah Samuel, pleaded ignorance of the legality surrounding the firearms.
“I didn’t know the guns were unlicensed. I’ve been kidnapped twice before by sea pirates, and they’ve often stolen our goods and even killed crew members. That’s why I hired the OPC boys to protect us,” he said.
