Navy arrests marine tanker with dangerous substance

• Destroys illegal refineries
• Air Force set for counter-terrorism mock exercise at Abuja airport
• FAAN calls for calm

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has arrested a marine tanker, Team Tango, for conveying substance suspected to be dangerous.

The ship, which was tracked down with Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capability of the Navy, is now under investigation and would be promptly handed over to the relevant agency for further action.

Director of Information in the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekobe, yesterday noted that the Navy in similar operation had arrested a barge suspected to be involved in bunkering at Creek 6 in Bonny Local Council of Rivers State.

Ezekobe, who stated that the barge was laden with yet-to-be-quantified stolen crude oil, said no arrest was made in both cases as the suspects fled the scene on sighting the patrol team.

Besides, the Navy director said a patrol team deployed by FOB BONNY raided an illegal refinery site with several storage tanks loaded with unquantifiable amount of stolen crude oil and destroyed it.

Meanwhile, as part of its training programme, the Nigerian Air Force is set to conduct a mock exercise on counter-terrorism simulation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

The exercise, which is to start today, is expected to sensitise air passengers and the public in Abuja and its environs.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has, however, urged travellers and members of the public not to panic.

Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, said the exercise was part of strategies to reinforce the safety of air transport at the nation’s airports, in addition to sustaining international best practice, regulatory policies and good service delivery.

Dunoma said the exercise might consist of aerial and land maneuvers, which might create some dramatic spectacles and affect vehicular and pedestrian movements.

He, therefore, enjoined air travellers and members of the public to go about their normal businesses, as operations at the airport would not be affected.

While apologising for any inconvenience the exercise might cause, he advised air travellers and other airport users to adhere to laid-down procedures for safety.