The Nigerian Navy has warned that any vessel involved in criminal activities in the waterways would face stiff penalties.

The Nigerian Navy has warned that any vessel involved in criminal activities in the waterways would face stiff penalties. Particularly; owners of vessels that are caught engaging in oil theft would be treated as saboteurs. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IBOK IBAS gave the warning during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association at his office in Abuja. Vice Admiral IBOK IBAS acknowledged that majority of ship owners are engaged in legitimate business, but some bad elements have infiltrated the sector and are destroying the reputation of others. He appealed to the leadership of the association to check the excesses of their members who are involved in negative activities. In his remarks, the President of the Ship Owners Association, retired Captain NIYI LABINJO said members of the association operate over two hundred companies, out of which one hundred and three own ships. He promised that the association would continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies towards curbing the excesses of criminal elements in the maritime industry.