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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Nigeria to prosecute Russian sailors over arms |
| 2013-01-09 |
[ZA.NEWS.YAHOO] Nigeria's navy has transferred for prosecution 15 Russian sailors placed in durance vileDrop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! since October for allegedly transporting illegal arms, a navy front man said Tuesday. "The police have taken over the custody of the 15 Russians because the navy does not have the power to prosecute them," Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara of the Western Naval Command in Lagos, told AFP. He said the police took over the case on Monday after inspecting the vessel and weapons currently docked at the navy's Beecroft's harbour in Apapa, Lagos, the nation's economic capital and main seaport. "We have to keep the ship because the police do not have the capacity to keep it. Both the vessel and weapons will be released as exhibits during the trial of the suspects," he said. Omodara did not however say when the trial will start. "It is left for the police to decide when to start the trial. The navy has concluded its preliminary investigations," he added. The MV Myre Seadiver was seized on October 19 off the coast of Lagos by a naval patrol which also detained its 15 crew members. Weapons found on the vessel included 14 AK-47 rifles with 3,643 rounds of ammunition as well as 22 Benelli MR1 rifles with 4,955 rounds of ammunition. The intended destination or planned use of the arms was not clear. Nigeria is awash with illegal weapons that have fuelled violence in Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 Oh, well. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-01-09 16:55 |
| #4 No comments Unless you're a member. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-01-09 16:47 |
| #3 Offshore support vessel. Details of the seizure are here. From the Maritime Bulletin: The arms found on Myre Seadiver are too small a lot to be an arms trafficking operation, but too big for the purpose of vesselÂ’s protection. Most probably [the] vessel is employed as a floating arsenal. Myre Seadiver left Russian port Baltyisk in June and during summer time was in Gulf of Aden area, then probably, it was decided to relocate vessel to Gulf of Guinea, she called Lagos for bunkering and maybe other supplies. If thatÂ’s the case, then, Nigerian Navy was tipped off about the true nature of the vessel, and knew theyÂ’d find weapons on board. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-01-09 12:52 |
| #2 What kind of ship? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2013-01-09 11:10 |
| #1 14 AK-47 rifles with 3,643 rounds of ammunition as well as 22 Benelli MR1 rifles with 4,955 rounds of ammunition That's not even enough ammo for target practice. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-01-09 11:07 |