The Nigerian Navy on Friday averted a major sea robbery when its operatives successfully repelled attack by suspected sea robbers on Marine Tanker (MT) Hanze Kochi sailing from Port Harcourt to Lagos.

According to the Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekobe, the attackers made spirited effort to board the vessel, 50 nautical miles off Bayelsa State but were heavily engaged and overpowered in a gun duel by naval personnel.

Ezekobe said in a statement issued on Monday that in a related development, a patrol team deployed by FOB Bonny in Rivers State has arrested Marine Vessel (MV) FB Pere Ipamo at Shell Slot Jetty in Bonny for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering activities.

“At the time of arrest on 14 September 2016, the vessel was carrying about 500 metric tons of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

“Similarly, on 17 September 2016, a patrol team deployed by NNS Delta conducted anti-crude oil theft operations in which two illegal refinery sites were raided. The sites are located at Lakpaje and Ubeje Creeks in Warri South LGA of Delta State. During the raid, the patrol team destroyed about 18,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 15,000 litres of suspected refined AGO.

“The feat achieved by the Nigerian Navy in cracking down the activities of the criminals in the maritime domain is a pointer that there is no hiding place for any criminal. The Service is ever committed to safeguard the maritime environment,” the Navy said.

•Photo shows naval boat on patrol.