By Evelyn Usman

Plans by three suspected hijackers to convey a ship loaded with petroleum products to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been foiled by the Nigerian Navy, following their arrest outside the Lagos bar.

Recovered from the hijackers, who reportedly came from Ondo State, were two pump action rifles and several ammunition.

Also arrested were 15 crew members on board the vessel loaded with the suspected stolen petroleum product.

Briefing newsmen on the arrest, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade, said: “The arrest was made following a tip off that a ship, MV Long Island, was carrying product suspected to be stolen crude oil with armed hijackers on board.

“Acting on the intelligence tips, Nigerian Navy Ship Ikot-Abasi, a fast patrol boat of the Western Naval Command was deployed to effect the arrest.

“The vessel was successfully intercepted and taken to the Naval Base jetty, Apapa, where elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boats carried out the operation.

“Sample of the stolen product had been taken to the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, for confirmation.

“At the end of investigation, the suspects, vessel and stolen product would be handed over to the appropriate agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

He warned criminally-minded persons to desist from their nefarious acts or face the same consequence.

Captain of the seized vessel, Daniel Labile, told journalists that his ship was hijacked and the crew forced to load stolen crude oil from a hijacked ship.

On their parts, the suspected hijackers, Peter Abayor, 23; Olabanmi Owoyemi, 35, and Ikudenbu Segun, claimed to be members of the Odua Peoples Congress, OPC.

They claimed they were sent from Ondo State by their unnamed commander to break pipelines and siphon crude oil.

It was, however, not known whether they were working with the crew members.