Bayelsa Elections: Navy Raid Suspected Sea Robbers’ Hideout In Southern Ijaw, Recovers Weapons Cache

The Nigerian Navy announced on Sunday that its Naval Ship, NNS Soroh, carried out a raid on a suspected sea robbers’ hideout in its Area of Operation.

The operation, aimed at eliminating illegal weapons before, during, and after the off-cycle gubernatorial election on November 10, 2023, occurred at 2 am.

Acting on credible information, the naval base swiftly deployed its anti-sea robbery patrol team from the Naval Security Station (NSS 030) located in Foropa community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

A statement by Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan said, “On sighting the Nigerian Navy Patrol team gunboat, the suspected sea robbers fled into the bushes.

“During the raid in Southern Ijaw, NNS Soroh special anti-sea robbery team further cordoned and searched the area and recovered, one general purpose machine gun (GPMG) with 100 links, 2 AK 47 rifles, one locally made long gun, 2 Tavor magazines, 11 rounds of 7.62 (NATO), 2 Cartridge rounds of pump action gun.

“Additionally, other recovered items include 2 200HP Yamaha Engine, 5 Baofeng Radio, a Small Techno Android phone, one GPS phone and 3x small techno phones, and assorted camouflage uniforms.

“The camp was subsequently deactivated to deny the criminals any shelter within the vicinity.

“The efforts of NNS Soroh, their resilience and dedication to duty led to the success of the raid operation.

“Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy under the able leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, will continue to conduct such sting operations to resist and arrest criminals desperate to undermine the democratic process, disrupt public peace or breach the hard-earned Maritime Security during and after the off-cycle election period.

“The Service will continue to cooperate with stakeholders to achieve a peaceful Maritime environment critical for legitimate business by law-abiding citizens towards the national economic development and prosperity.”

The statement underscored the commitment of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Soroh, based at Naval Base Yenagoa, to ongoing efforts to eradicate criminal activities, unlawful practices, and the possession of illegal weapons within its designated operational zone. NNS Soroh will persist in conducting operations and vigilant patrols to address the challenges of sea robbery, piracy, and crude oil theft (COT) in Nigeria’s maritime environment.

“The Base has maintained presence at sea and the deployment of surveillance infrastructure to monitor activities within its waters, thus maintaining the sanctity of Nigeria’s Maritime domain.”