The Nigerian Navy says it’s troops of  Exercise Obangame Express 2022 has arrested an MT QUEEN OF PEACE vessel that has been of interest for over a year, on day 5 of the Exercise which was flagged off by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo on 11 March 2022. A signed statement by the Director of Information, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan made available to Channel Network Afrique indicates that the vessel was last sighted at the Trans Amadi Jetty in Port Harcourt, before it switched off it’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) and proceeded on 3 weeks of dark (unknown) activities but was successfully intercepted South West of Bonny Fair Way Buoy on 15 March 2022.

He said the dark activities of the vessel was monitored by the Nigerian Navy Falcon Eye Surveillance System and Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU which was detached from the Exercise OBANGAME to intercept and arrest the vessel. 
According to Commodore Ayo-Vaughan subsequent interrogation revealed that the vessel with 14 crew members onboard was laden with unspecified quantity of crude oil.
He added that the vessel was unable to provide appropriate documentation from the point of loading as well as documents and authority of her intended operations which led to the arrest of the vessel and is currently at Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base BONNY for further investigation and possible hand-over for prosecution.
Additionally, Exercise Obangame Express 2022 has also arrested  seven Beninoise in a long wooden boat fully loaded with unspecified petroleum products from questionable sources. 
He noted that the Exercise is the largest multinational maritime exercise in West Africa with 32 countries participating in their respective maritime area from 11 – 18 March 2022.
Meanwhile, as part of the relentless effort of the Nigerian Navy in fighting maritime illegalities, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder at Naval Base Port Harcourt also arrested and handed over five suspected oil thieves with a diesel laden barge and a tug boat to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 14 March 2022. 
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan further stated that the arrest depicts and reinforces the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to consistently sustain its aggressive posture against oil theft and other maritime illegalities.

The Nigerian Navy says it’s troops of  Exercise Obangame Express 2022 has arrested an MT QUEEN OF PEACE vessel that has been of interest for over a year, on day 5 of the Exercise which was flagged off by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo on 11 March 2022. 

A signed statement by the Director of Information, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan made available to Channel Network Afrique indicates that the vessel was last sighted at the Trans Amadi Jetty in Port Harcourt, before it switched off it’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) and proceeded on 3 weeks of dark (unknown) activities but was successfully intercepted South West of Bonny Fair Way Buoy on 15 March 2022.

He said the dark activities of the vessel was monitored by the Nigerian Navy Falcon Eye Surveillance System and Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU which was detached from the Exercise OBANGAME to intercept and arrest the vessel. 
According to Commodore Ayo-Vaughan subsequent interrogation revealed that the vessel with 14 crew members onboard was laden with unspecified quantity of crude oil.
He added that the vessel was unable to provide appropriate documentation from the point of loading as well as documents and authority of her intended operations which led to the arrest of the vessel and is currently at Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base BONNY for further investigation and possible hand-over for prosecution.
Additionally, Exercise Obangame Express 2022 has also arrested  seven Beninoise in a long wooden boat fully loaded with unspecified petroleum products from questionable sources. 
He noted that the Exercise is the largest multinational maritime exercise in West Africa with 32 countries participating in their respective maritime area from 11 – 18 March 2022.
Meanwhile, as part of the relentless effort of the Nigerian Navy in fighting maritime illegalities, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder at Naval Base Port Harcourt also arrested and handed over five suspected oil thieves with a diesel laden barge and a tug boat to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 14 March 2022. 
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan further stated that the arrest depicts and reinforces the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to consistently sustain its aggressive posture against oil theft and other maritime illegalities.