Nigeria’s waters are facing a growing battle against illegal fishing and other maritime offences, and the Nigerian Navy is stepping up efforts to protect the country’s marine resources.

In the latest operation, three fishing vessels intercepted for alleged violations have been handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (FDFA) for further regulatory action.

The vessels — MV OLUFUNKE 1, MV IRUO OGHENE and AM 8702 — were intercepted during Operation ABO EJA 2026 within the Western Naval Command’s area of responsibility over alleged violations relating to fishing activities and Automatic Identification System (AIS) compliance.

They were handed over to the FDFA at the Defence Jetty, Lagos.

The vessels were intercepted between August 26 and 28 following naval operations aimed at curbing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and other maritime violations.

At the handover ceremony, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Augustine Adams-Aliu, was represented by the Executive Officer, Captain Olanrewaju Olubunmi.

According to the Navy, preliminary investigations revealed several areas of concern involving the vessels, including alleged fishing in restricted areas, irregularities with AIS and communication equipment, as well as discrepancies in vessel classification and documentation.

The Navy said the handover would allow the FDFA to carry out further regulatory processes, including detailed examination of the vessels, determination of applicable violations and, where necessary, enforcement or prosecution in accordance with extant laws and regulations.

The development highlights the importance of cooperation between security and regulatory agencies in protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly its fisheries resources, which are vulnerable to illegal exploitation.

The Navy said the operation was part of sustained efforts under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to strengthen maritime security, enforce relevant laws and safeguard Nigeria’s maritime interests.

Under the leadership of Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, the Western Naval Command also reaffirmed its commitment to closer collaboration with the FDFA and other relevant stakeholders through coordinated patrols, surveillance, inspections and information sharing.

The command said such cooperation remained critical to deterring illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as well as other activities capable of undermining the security and economic value of Nigeria’s maritime resources.

NNS BEECROFT further pledged to continue supporting the Chief of the Naval Staff’s vision of a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.