The Nigerian Navy (NN) has given insight into how it arrested and handed over a suspected fraudulent shipping agent, Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Calabar, Cross River State “for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
The Navy also said it has cleared its personnel accused of receiving payment for security services and abandoning the vessel without refund.
Director of Naval Information, Naval Headquarters (NHQ) Abuja, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said in a statement on Saturday that “a comprehensive investigation by the Nigerian Navy established that its personnel neither solicited nor received any payment, nor entered into any form of security arrangement with the vessel’s owners.”
The full statement reads: “The Nigerian Navy has arrested and handed over a suspected fraudulent shipping agent, Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Calabar for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“The arrest followed a directive from Naval Headquarters after a complaint received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleging that a sum of four hundred thousand naira was paid to Nigerian Navy personnel to provide security for Motor Vessel CHIMBA Express, a Cameroonian-registered vessel operating within the Calabar Channel.
“The allegation was linked to an incident on 22 December 2025 when personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY, NNS OSE and Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA responded to a distress call involving a fire outbreak onboard the vessel. The swift and coordinated response of the Nigerian Navy led to the successful rescue of the vessel and its crew.
“Subsequently, claims emerged suggesting that naval personnel received payment for security services and abandoned the vessel without refund. However, a comprehensive investigation by the Nigerian Navy established that its personnel neither solicited nor received any payment, nor entered into any form of security arrangement with the vessel’s owners.
“Investigations further revealed that Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, an agent with PINAPAT Shipping Agency in Calabar, fraudulently collected the sum under false pretence, claiming it was meant for Nigerian Navy personnel involved in the rescue operation.
“The Nigerian Navy reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, integrity and accountability, and will continue to take decisive action against any individual or group attempting to tarnish its image or exploit its operations for personal gain.
“The suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further necessary action.”
