Boat Operators Want Fight Against Crimes In Waterways.

Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria has called for fight against crimes on the Lagos State waterways.

President of the group, Tarzan Balogun, who disclosed this in Lagos said, with the security challenges in Nigeria, the waterways had become alternative routes of escape for criminals.

He said, the federal and state Governments should, in addition to deploying more officers, provide the necessities for them to function effectively and efficiently, and assure smooth operation, and provision of new speedboats with big engine horsepower and improved maintenance.

Balogun also said, the illegal and brazen activities of pirates, kidnappers and bunkers on the waterways had become unbearable, while, calling the state and federal governments to team up and address, stressing that, the inauguration was part of moves to combat smuggling, piracy, oil theft, and other illicit activities plaguing the maritime space.

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, during the inauguration of the operation, said the exercise was to protect the nation’s economy.