The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, has seized three vessels and arrested 34 operators suspected of illegal fishing in Nigerian waters. The arrests were made during a three-day joint operation, codenamed Operation Abo Eja 2026, aimed at strengthening surveillance and enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Those arrested included 24 Nigerians, three Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals. The Western Naval Command deployed a naval ship, helicopter and Special Boat Service personnel, while the fisheries department provided technical and regulatory support. Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Adeleke Adegoke, said stronger intelligence gathering and information sharing were needed to make future operations more targeted and effective.
The Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, said the operation demonstrated effective inter-agency coordination and would help strengthen efforts to protect Nigeria’s marine resources.