The Nigerian Merchant Navy says the corps is aware of the hideouts of criminals’ on the Lagos waterways but lack the necessary logistics to dislodge them.

The Training Depot Commander of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force, Lagos, Ichuku Agaba, says if the federal government gave them the logistics to effect arrests, the Merchant Navy would take the battle to the criminal hideouts.

The Merchant Navy chief said the force had arrested eight suspected armed robbers around the Kosofe waterfront base attacking innocent citizens in the last eight months and handed them over to the police for prosecution.

“We carried out surveillance on waterways in Lagos and now know the criminal hideouts. We identified them, but we lack the logistics to carry out arrests. We use locally made boats. We need speed boats for patrols, arms and other equipment.

“We want the government to empower us; we promise that within one week, these criminal elements operating on the waterways in Lagos will be arrested. We have the manpower but lack logistics.

“I have written to the Lagos State government for logistics; if we have the necessary equipment, criminals cannot come from elsewhere to commit crime in Lagos and escape from our men,” Mr Agaba assured.

He said another major challenge the group faced was physical structures and welfare of personnel, stressing that its men currently operate from make-shift tents at their Kosofe waterfront base, Ogudu Orin-Oke.

“We don’t have a basic salary; we contribute money, food and material things with which we sustain ourselves. Some people bring water and other needed things. That is why we appeal to the state and the federal government for logistics,” he said.

Mr Agaba said the group had joined forces with the Nigerian Navy and the Police to check coastal criminals in Lagos and was ready to join the fight against bandits and terrorists in the north provided it got training and necessary provisions.

(NAN)