BREAKING NEWS: Nigerian Navy Accused of Maliciously Destroying Marine Vessel
In a shocking turn of events, the owners of the Marine Vessel (MV) Cecelia Imo, Soljas Limited, have come forward to demand compensation after their vessel was destroyed by the Nigerian Navy’s Marine Component of the Military Joint Task Force of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS). The owners, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, expressed their disbelief and denied any involvement in illegal activities or storing illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) known as diesel.
Soljas Limited, represented by their legal representative, Austine Ojekudo and Co., explained that the vessel had been moored at Meco Jetty in Gbalajam, Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State since 2020. They had entrusted the custody of the vessel to the jetty manager, Meco Newyear Tagar, for renting purposes. The owners paid a monthly fee of N150,000 for mooring charges and even employed a security man to ensure the boat’s safety.
The owners vehemently denied having any knowledge of Tagar’s activities or authorizing him to act on their behalf. They were completely taken aback when news of the vessel’s arrest on August 16 surfaced. Despite submitting petitions to relevant authorities, including the Chief of Naval Staff, Commanders of OPDS, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, the state Police Commissioner, and the Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, the owners received little response. Only the police arrested Mr. Tagar, the jetty manager, on August 23.
To their dismay, the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, took the vessel out of the jetty and set it ablaze without any contact or thorough investigation with the owners. Soljas Limited, the vessel’s owner, is demanding compensation for the unjust destruction of their $6 million aluminum crew boat. Additionally, they disputed the claim that the vessel had a storage capacity of 350,000.
This incident has raised serious questions about the actions of the Nigerian Navy and the need for a transparent and thorough investigation into the matter. The owners are calling on relevant authorities to take immediate action and provide them with the compensation they rightfully deserve.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
