A Togolese registered vessel, MV Chinyere suspected of carrying arms has been impounded at the Tema Port by Ghanaian Security Officials. Four armed guards, two naval personnel and two policemen have been placed on board as she berthed at the marine wharf of the port.
Her arrest follows intelligence report which borders on a publication carried by the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper.
In that report, two vessels MV Chinyere and MV Chinedu from Malabo, Gabon, were trying to berth at Calaba, south-eastern wharf of Nigeria but immediately, information got to the federal government whose presidency ordered the interception of the two vessels by the Nigerian navy. The newspaper’s story claimed that a cache of arms and cartridges were concealed in sued clothes.
The vessels were said to be carrying 67 containers with 22 onboard MV Chinyere and based on the poor security situation in the Niger delta and Calaba’s closeness to Aba’s sprawling market, the issue was given serious attention.
For unknown reasons, MV Chinyere was found at the Tema Port anchorage and when the Harbour Master called, she could not respond hence he asked the Ghana Navy to arrest it.
The vessel is not equipped with Automatic Identification (AI) system which enables the port control to communicate with vessels in Ghanaian waters, identifies cargo on board, crew etcetera.
As at the time of going to press, a gang of stevedores from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) was being prepared to commence discharging the cargo on board into a bonded warehouse at a Safebond Ltd. for further action.
However, it was also being deliberated on if the goods should be scanned straight from the vessel at a cost to the consignees. Meanwhile, the security authorities are to embark on rummage exercise on the vessel, MV Chinyere.
