Serial Attacks on International Vessels: Western Ports Police Nab, Arraign Seven Suspects

By Raheem Ibrahim

Operatives of the Marine Unit of the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command have arrested and arraigned seven suspects allegedly involved in serial attacks on international vessels berthed at sea ports in Lagos.

It was reliably gathered that the Marine Police operatives were on routine patrol when they sighted a suspicious speedboat positioned near the vessel CL YINGNA HE, berthed at Berth 12 of the Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) waterfront.

According to a source, “The patrol team initially sighted three occupants on the boat. As officers approached, they discovered four additional individuals lying flat on the deck in an attempt to conceal themselves.

“The operatives also observed the suspects stretching a long bamboo pole—later recovered from the boat—towards the vessel CL YINGNA HE, indicating an attempt to gain unauthorized access.”

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Apapa, Lagos, Isaac Hundeyin, said in a statement that the arrest was made on November 16, 2025.

According to him, “Upon questioning, the seven occupants failed to provide any credible explanation for their presence within the restricted port area. A thorough search was conducted.

“During the search, the following items were recovered: one heavy iron cutter, two saw blades, one long bamboo stick with a steel curved hook attachment, one long ship rope, thirty-one assorted types of spanners, four screwdrivers, one plier, one plastic bucket, and one speedboat fitted with a 60HP Yamaha engine.”

Hundeyin added that the suspects were transferred to the Port Criminal Investigation Department (Port CID) for discreet and detailed investigation. Their activities were said to mirror recent attacks on international vessels within the Lagos port corridor, including:

• Hong Kong–flagged MV RIGI VENTURE (IMO 9693197) attacked at Berth 8, SIFAX Port & Cargo Terminal on October 21, 2025, at about 0555hrs.
• Korean–flagged MV GLOVIS COSMOS (IMO 9707027) attacked at Berth 10, Five Star Logistics Terminal, Tincan Island, on November 14, 2025, at about 0340hrs.
• Liberian–flagged CL YINGNA HE (IMO 9890666) attacked at Berth 12, PTML Grimaldi Terminal, Tincan Island, on November 15, 2025, at about 0200hrs.

“The similarities in their modus operandi strongly link the arrested suspects to the aforementioned incidents,” the statement noted.

The PPRO further revealed that upon conclusion of the CID investigation, all seven suspects were arraigned in court on November 20, 2025.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, has assured maritime stakeholders of the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal activities within the nation’s ports. She emphasized that patrols would be intensified, intelligence gathering strengthened, and collaboration with other security agencies deepened to ensure a safe and business-friendly maritime environment.