Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka in Mbo Council of Akwa Ibom State has reiterated its commitment to protecting legitimate users of the high sea.

It also refuted a publication that over 700 sea pirates invaded the fishing community, kidnap five persons and stole nine boats and boat engines at Ibaka beach.

The Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Samuel Olowookere, made rebuttal during a meeting with fishermen.

He stressed that none of the issues raised in the media report was true and that Nigerian Navy would not take any pay or gratification for services rendered.

He recalled occasions fishing boats capsized at sea and the Base had to help in rescuing them at no cost.

“It was not true that over 700 pirates invaded the community. If such a report was true, the entire Base would not have been functioning for now. I would have been dead because they would have overrun everything living within this area. To the best of our knowledge, nothing of such happened on Saturday July 9, nothing as carting away of nine outboard engine.

“We don’t collect money for work. We are here for fishermen and legitimate users of the water. There had been occasions where fishermen boats capsized at sea, where the Base has been prompt in providing them assistance at no cost. In fact, there was one that we did less than five months ago, where one of their boats had issues. They promised to give the base three drums of fuel, which we vehemently rejected.”

The spokesperson for the Watch out Multipurpose Cooperative Society, the umbrella organisation of Ibaka fishermen, Mr. Ogunbiyi Johnbull, who spoke on behalf of fishermen, said the report was false, adding that they were shocked at the report. He stressed that they enjoy cordial relationship with the Navy in Ibaka, Mbo.