The Nigerian Navy has arrested a suspected fraudulent shipping agent, Mr Nsikak Sunday Ekpo, and handed him over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Calabar for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The arrest followed a directive from Naval Headquarters after a complaint, channelled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alleged that a sum of ₦400,000 was paid to naval personnel to provide security for Motor Vessel CHIMBA Express, a Cameroonian-registered vessel operating within the Calabar Channel.
According to the Navy, the allegation stemmed from an incident on December 22, 2025, when personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, NNS Ose, and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka responded to a distress call involving a fire outbreak onboard the vessel. The Navy’s swift and coordinated intervention led to the successful rescue of both the vessel and its crew.
Subsequent claims suggested that naval personnel had received payment for security services and later abandoned the vessel without refund. However, a comprehensive internal investigation by the Navy found no evidence that its personnel solicited or received any payment, or entered into any security arrangement with the vessel’s owners.
Further findings revealed that Ekpo, identified as an agent with PINAPAT Shipping Agency in Calabar, allegedly obtained the ₦400,000 under false pretences, claiming the funds were intended for Navy personnel involved in the rescue operation.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, integrity and accountability, stating that it would continue to take decisive action against individuals or groups seeking to tarnish its image or exploit its operations for personal gain.
The suspect has since been transferred to the police for further necessary action.
