Ports Police Arrest Seven Suspects in Foiled Attempt to Board Vessel at PTML

Operatives of the Marine Unit of the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command have arrested seven men found loitering in a suspicious speed boat positioned dangerously close to the Liberian-flagged CL YINGNA HE at Berth 12 of the Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) in Lagos.

The arrest, made on November 16, 2025, was disclosed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer , Isaac Hundeyin. According to him, officers on routine patrol first spotted three men in the boat, but as they moved closer, they discovered four others lying flat on the deck in an apparent attempt to remain unseen. Their movements became even more suspicious when the operatives observed them stretching a long bamboo pole fitted with a curved steel hook toward the berthed vessel, suggesting an effort to climb or gain unauthorized access.

Hundeyin said the men could not give any convincing explanation for their presence within the restricted port area. A search of the boat revealed several tools commonly used for illegal boarding and tampering with vessel structures, including a heavy iron cutter, two saw blades, a long bamboo stick with a curved hook attachment, and a length of ship rope. Officers also recovered a collection of assorted spanners, screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, a plastic bucket, and the speed boat itself, which was powered by a 60HP Yamaha engine.

The suspects were immediately handed over to the Port Criminal Investigation Department (Port CID) for interrogation. Preliminary findings linked their operation to a growing pattern of coordinated attacks on international vessels within the Lagos port corridor. Similar incidents were recorded in recent weeks, including those involving the Hong Kong-flagged MV RIGI VENTURE at Berth 8 of the SIFAX Port & Cargo Terminal on October 21, the Korean-flagged MV GLOVIS COSMOS at Berth 10 of the Five Star Logistics Terminal on November 14, and another attempt on CL YINGNA HE on November 15. The mode of operation in each case mirrored the suspects’ actions at PTML.

Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, reassured port users and stakeholders of the Command’s unwavering resolve to secure the maritime environment. She emphasized strengthened patrol strategies, enhanced intelligence gathering, and deeper collaboration with other security agencies to curb criminal activities across the port corridors

Following the conclusion of investigations, all seven suspects were arraigned in court on November 20, 2025.