Liberia Pledges to Investigate Killing of Nigerian Stowaways on Panama’s Ship
The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has promised to investigate the incident in which the captain and other crew members of the Panama-flagged ship MV Ophelia reportedly killed two Nigerian stowaways.
Some Asian crew cruising Panama’s vessel were allegedly to have killed two Nigerians identified as Frank and Osas Velurobo after they were discovered on the ship recently.
It was gathered that about a dozen others were thrown into the ocean but escaped and were rescued by fishermen at Gbanken Beach, Grand Kru town, Liberia.
The Nigerians boarded the ship illegally from Lagos, Nigeria which was believed to be sailing to Japan, but two met their demise as others were fortunate to be alive.
Commenting on the incident, Maritime Commissioner, Lenn Eugene Nagbe revealed that LiMA has instituted a panel to investigate the matter and will ensure that all criminals are brought to book.
Nagbe on Saturday disclosed that Liberia Immigration Service is also working with LiMA to hasten the investigation, adding that the agency has taken some measures of both national and international maritime standards on the incident.
The report listed the measures to include: “transmitted a formal communication to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization informing him of the incident. The communication is also soliciting the cooperation and support of IMO in the investigative process.
The report also “informed the Panamanian government through available diplomatic channels including a transmittal from Liberia IMO Permanent Representative, Moses Owen Browne to his Panamanian counterpart.”
It said Panama has the responsibility to ensure the enforcement of relevant international instruments being the flag state of the vessel.
While it has communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, it extended it to other regional bodies including the Nigerian government in Abuja to assist in apprehending the vessel.
“It also communicated with the ship owner and the agent to make representation and participate in discussions regarding arranging and financing the maintenance and repatriation of the stowaways,” the report explained.
