EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS: ARREST OF MT HARBOR SPIRIT NEAR BONNY FAIRWAY BUOY ON THURSDAY 17 MARCH 2022

Oru Leonard

The NIgerian Navy (NN), recorded another arrest on the 7th day of EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS.

According to a press release signed by the NN Spokesperson, Commodore AO AYO-VAUGHAN , On Day 7 of the Exercise, the Nigerian Navy Ship THUNDER intercepted MOTOR TANKER (MT) HARBOR SPIRIT (A Vessel of Interest), at about 1030 on Thursday 17 March 2022, on suspicion of engaging in illegal activities. The vessel was subsequently boarded by the Nigerian Navy and she was discovered to be in possession of forged documents for the evacuation of fortified and auctioned product (crude oil) from MV KOME XVIII.

Accordingly, MT HARBOR SPIRIT and her the crew of 13 men, all Nigerians, were arrested and handed over to Forward Operating Base BONNY for further investigation and possible handover for prosecution.

Recall that Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2022 was conducted from 11-18
March 2022.