The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, Bayelsa, has handed over a wooden boat conveying 4,000 bags of suspected illegally mined black sand, eight suspects to police command in Bayelsa.
This is contained in a statement signed on Saturday, by SLT Joshua Dauda, Base Information Officer FOB FORMOSO.
According to the statement, the operation conducted at about 1958 hours on Nov. 11, at Tebidaba 2 Houseboat led to the arrest of eight crew members onboard the vessel.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the boat’s manager, identified simply as Mr Abraham, failed to produce valid documentation authorising the transportation of the mineral resources.
“A document subsequently forwarded by one Mr Theophilus, who claimed ownership of the cargo was also found insufficient to establish the legitimacy of the operation.
“The suspected boat and cargo were secured at Tebidaba 2 Houseboat for further investigation. However, the vessel was later discovered to be in a poor state with severe water ingress.
“Consequently, at about 2230 hours, the eight suspects alongside the boat and its contents were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Ologbobiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Security Coordinator for further investigation and necessary action,” the statement read.
On his part, the Commanding Officer, FOB FORMOSO, Capt. Sunday Haruna, commended the personnel for their vigilance and professionalism.
He noted that the interception underscored the base’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the maritime environment, curbing the illegal exploitation of natural resources and ensuring that criminal activities find no safe haven within the waterways.
The commanding officer further advised the miners to obtain approvals at both the federal and state government’s levels before engaging in mining and the transportation of mineral resources.
